Up again for a 6 am start, we crossed about a mile of patchy snow and then, after a further ascent, we reached the highest point of the Oregon/Washington PCT at 7560 feet.

Mostly we have been walking through a green tunnel of forest without a view despite the frequent ascents towards a saddle. The weather continues to be fine and good for walking but the swarms of mosquitoes show no signs of abating. Many hikers are resorting to head nets and those who hike in shorts and short sleeves are regretting their choice of clothing.

We have enjoyed hiking in the company of ‘Simless’ (no Sim card) who is from the UK. OG had met him in the early stages of the PCT and helped him manage sore blistered feet. He is younger than we are and walks at a faster pace but we manage to keep mostly together and it is good to have a new face and new conversation.

In the afternoon we reached a path junction where we chose to hike an alternate route around a series of lakes. Apart from a different outlook it has the advantages of less altitude, less snow, possibly fewer mozzies, and cuts 7 miles off our way compared with the other route up Diamond Peak.

Despite all the snow, we managed a tenner again today and completed 26.8 miles by the time we reached our campsite beside Oldenburg Lake.