author=Spencerhutch link=topic=13583.msg56686#msg56686 date=1244514069]
PS. Its pretty funny seeing the looks you get trying to hitchhike with an ice axe sticking out of your pack.
Haha--oh, the car troubles, much more eventful than the adventure itself! Broke the key off in the ignition, then started it with a pocket knife, only to discover that it wouldn't go...very fast. Made it to Lena Creek campground averaging under 10 mph, parked and locked it with most of our gear to catch a ride out to cell phone range and call my dad to see if he knew what the heck was wrong. Apparently the throttle linkage somehow popped off, but thankfully home was only 1.5 hours away in Poulsbo and dad could come to the rescue. It took him less than 5 minutes to diagnose and fix the situation, after breaking a small window to get into the car because he forgot to bring a spare key. In addition to saving my day, he also was able to help a group with a flat tire pry their stuck wheel off with the giant crowbar for his truck; he is hereby nominated for Dad of the Year. 8)
All this meant Spencer had to hitch a ride to catch the ferry from Kingston and get back to his car; luckily somebody didn't mind picking up a kid with an ice axe, and everything worked out fine. And I will not be taking a 1980 Mercedes diesel on any more mountain trips in the foreseeable future... ::)