July 24.
The absolute worst day for bugs yet. Made it down to Chinook Pass in the morning. I had planned to use the bathroom at the trailhead but couldn’t hold out and almost shit myself on the trail. Managed to make it off the trail in time to avoid a terrible accident.
It was hot going up past Chinook Pass and there were a lot of day hikers and a few nobos.
Went back down to Dewey lakes, a beautiful set of lakes the trail went between but immediately the bugs started. They were so bad at the lakes I could barely stop to get water. And they continued all day. Found a little rest from them on an exposed ridge with an amazing view of Mt Tahoma though it wasn’t long before they appeared again.
Made it down the long stretch to the Bumping River which was not bumping that much. Ended up crossing it on a log but almost had a disaster and fell off it. Managed to land back on the shore and crossed it again a little more cautiously. Climbed back up past the river and the mosquitoes were absolutely nightmarish. There were a lot of little lakes and ponds that made perfect breeding grounds for them. I passed so many northbound overnight hikers covered in headnets. I finally relented and put on my windshirt, headnet, and doused myself in Picardin, fat lot of good it did. My skin is so irritated and burning. Just trying to find a spot to filter water or eat dinner was impossible. I would stop for a few seconds to even just try to rest and I’d be covered by them. I finally made it to the first lake I’d planned to stop at but decided to keep going to the next one.
Pipe Lake is also absolutely covered in mosquitoes. I immediately set up my tent and climbed inside. Fuck the lake or the sites or proper food management, I’m eating in my tent while they buzz around incessantly around me. Some of the little fucker manage to get in and buzz my ear and it’s maddening. I tried to go out to get water from the lake but it’s covered in the fucks and I got eaten again. So I have little to no water and I can’t bear going back out to try to find some. I’m gonna get up as early as I can tomorrow, pack up my shit, and run my ass 7 miles down to White Pass and away from this buzzing hell.
Plants Outside 