Blue Sky (2)

 ... I didn't go out last weekend - which made me mad.  And I have enough stuff on my desk that I could `just keep working' this weekend ... but then I would not be true to my own words ... so I put my work aside, and though I could not garner a partner at the last minute, I headed out.

12:36 PM - left Moscow, Blue Sky, 56 deg.

12:50 or so - going through Pullman, slightly colder, Blue Sky, 55 deg.

1:20 - I am at the Park, Blue Sky, I glass for elk on TRL, nothin'.

1:37 - I start the Power Climb via the `Skunk Route'.  It is warm, Blue Sky, breeze.

I shed layers as I climb.  A breeze from behind right keeps me cool and moving.  Halfway Fence is open.  I don't stop.  It is warm to hot climbing.  Blue Sky.

2:16 PM - I summit.  Elapsed time 39 minutes - tie with my previous personal best, 2005(?) via `Park Route'.  I start down - but then turn around and take some pics, lingering for a total of 3 minutes.  Blue Sky.  Glorious.

3:03 - back to Jeep at the Park, and head home.  Blue Sky.

3:49 PM - home, Blue Sky, 63 deg.

It will not be easy to beat 39 minutes.  I did not stop, and I took direct routes, and I didn't hang on fences.  I shed layers while moving.  I stopped only to lay down my binos and hat - and at that maybe didn't truly stop.  To beat 39 minutes I will have to point even more directly straight up, and keep the pace up.  Gulp. Yikes.

It was good to go alone - because it's easier not to.  But sometimes, maybe at least once a year - one needs to.