Just seven miles all up hill, and boy were they eventful. Mile 5, my shoe tore. I already ordered my next pair to be shipped to Stehekin, 180 miles away. These shoes were just not going to make it.

After a few minutes of panic and complaining, I called REI to see if there was any way they could help me. The customer service woman saved my butt. She said REI would figure out a way to cancel the pair I had ordered, and send a new pair to Leavenworth by the day I would be arriving, at no additional cost beyond what I had already paid for the other pair. I was so relieved, so amazed, in awe really that they did that for me.

Then I had the most stunning trail sunset I may have ever seen. The alpen glow lit up the mountains on the Catwalk just as I got to the top. Stellar 7 miles!