Badger Visits Mt. St. Helens

“Cayenne, can you fly Myron and Badger down here?”

“To Seattle?”

“No, Cougar, KWN52.”

“Baby, that would be a multiple-day flight.”

“I’ll wait in Cougar.”

**

Cayenne landed the Cherokee 140 on the wet private airstrip. Badger was the first to deplane, Myron giving his ‘heel’ whistle. No loose dogs on any runway! Greetings all around; the airstrip owner congratulated Cayenne on her long flight from Alaska.

“Cay, do you want to come?” She declined, preferring to visit Portland, Oregon.

The two men and Badger drove up to Mt. St. Helens. They followed NF83 to Marble Mountain SnowPark; most roads were closed for the winter, and this was access to winter climbing. Badger bounded into the snow up to his chest, jumping high, rolling, and loving it.

**

They made it to the Viewpoint, Badger following in their steps, sometimes exploring alone, returning at Myron’s ‘come’ whistle. Snow was falling continuously, blanketing the landscape and covering tracks.

The men were bivouacked, stomachs full. The sky was clear, but sunset was looming.

“See anything?” Myron watched Mike.

“Nope, you look.” Myron was a trained sharpshooter. He scanned with the binoculars, then used his scope on the outcropping.

“There!” he pointed. Badger was growling, fur on end. A large form stood, and Badger shot up the snowy hill like a bullet, snarling. On target, Myron’s ‘come’ whistle was ignored. The men both yelled NO as the creature’s foot lobbed Badger fifteen feet to the side.

Badger got up.

“He’s okay. Let’s go.”