Up early, Far Out and I waited through the coolest, best part of the morning for Jim, Bristlecone and Uberbitch's neighbor, to get his shit together. He had wanted hiking companions up Kearsarge; in my sleepy haze the night before, I'd agreed to hike up with him. Civilians have a different idea of early than PCT hikers. Though the ascent was hot and greuling due to my long town stay at low elevation, I enjoyed Jim's company greatly. Smart and witty, a great storyteller, I quickly forgave him for the late start. Even trail named the former journalist and adventurer: Gonzo. He loved it.

It seemed crazy to me to try to get over both Kearsarge and Glen Passes in the same day, so I walked a short way past the Onion Valley Trail on the PCT and crashed.