Today with five women, I climbed Mission Peak, 6,876'. Wind gusts were over 65 mph at the summit. It's already snowing in the mountains so the wind was cold.

The final pitch is a steep, extremely narrow trail with sliding shale underfoot and a sheer drop-off. As I stepped up onto the narrow path to the summit, the wind pushed me sideways. It was too dangerous. I did not go to the top.

"You picked the windiest spot to change your clothes," Karen said. I laughed, fighting the wind.

We hiked 7 miles with 2,278' of elevation gain. This included walking 1-1/2 miles to the trail head. The steep, gravel road deteriorated as we drove higher.

Here's Wenatchee, WA where I live beside the Columbia River, looking north. The smoky haze is from preventative burning by the U.S. Forest Service to the west and north.

"Where did all the trees on that north hillside go?" my Mom asked. "Wildfires," I replied.

"Can't you replant trees on the hillsides?" she asked. "No, not enough rain. Without irrigation, Wenatchee would be an arid, shrub-steppe desert."

We saw two Pika nests in talus slopes (rocks). Pika pile up plants for shelter and food. Getting ready for winter.