In the dark, but not alone

I waited as long as I could stand to, but it was still pitch black when I started my climb at Japanese Gulch today. That's to be expected for quite a while now, as it'll stay dark later and later until Daylight Saving Time ends in five or so weeks, then the process begins again until the solstice on December 21. I can deal, though. Following the railroad tracks up is easy no matter how dark it's been when I've been there, because the gravel alongside it is consistent. Well-maintained. Tracks have to be. Trails don't. Sometimes I think about carrying a flashlight but it seems like it's easier to just let my eyes dilate fully. I think I'll get a small one to keep in my bag, though, because if there were some sort of emergency I might need to be able to see better.

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