BOLT CREEK FIRE The fire creating air quality issues in Seattle and in my sinuses is only two percent contained. Fortunately, this is a problem of wind direction. With a westerly flow, the issues should clear up soon. I certainly hope that is the case. I have been hiking up at Mount Baring, which is in the fire area. The lake and forest at the base of the mountain are absolutely beautiful. I love the place.

Everything is climate change. I don’t recall any forest fires before 1998.

Sometimes looking up at a place you’ve looked down from is just as beautiful. Mt. Baring.

Mount Baring as seen from Merchant Peak. Yesterday was an epic day of scrambling. The route was challenging, especially with all the wet rock and limited visibility. We were socked in fog and clouds all day except atop the summit block. An ocean of low clouds washed below us, while sun breaks above warmed us.