Ann prods me to go hiking to get me in a better state of mind this week. I still manage to start in a frustrated mood, having forgotten batteries for my GPS receiver, but that soon fades with the rhythm of a good hill climb up Raven’s Ridge. By the time I reach Desolation Peak I’m feeling great, and there I have a serendipitous encounter.

Tom Hickey is atop Desolation Peak, and greets me enthusiastically. I follow along the rocky catwalk to Lake Peak, and begin to suspect that he knows his way around this country. I agree to follow him over to Penitente Peak. I soon discover that Tom is a walking trail database, and start interviewing him extensively. By the time we return to the trailhead, I’ve agreed to join him on a longer hike tomorrow.