I was planning to return to the Pasayten this weekend, but with a smoky forecast I audibled and headed to the Olympics instead. I started from the Aurora ridge trailhead at about 9 PM and planned to simply pitch my tent as soon as I found a spot. I ended up finding a one-person-tent-sized spot at upper Eagle Lake at about 11:30 PM. I departed in the morning with only about 1.5 L of water, anticipating filling up at Sourdough Camp. Unfortunately, the Sourdough spring was dry and I did not find any water until I reached Boulder Lake. I bailed on a couple of my peakbagging objectives (like Lizard Head) because of the water rationing. At Boulder Lake I ran into my first human--both of us were surprised. I left most of my gear at Boulder Lake and then ascended a dry creek bed and climber's trail through heather, before traversing west to the summit of Boulder Peak. My original plan was to return to Boulder Lake for my gear and then continue off-trail to Three Horse Lake, Blue Lake, Everett Peak, Mud Lake, and then ascend to Mount Appleton. However, looking at the scree hell involved in getting to Mount Appleton at this point of the year (i.e., no snow) made me think otherwise. I saved that traverse for an early season objective. On this day, I simply returned to Boulder Lake and set up camp. The next morning I dropped down-valley to intersect the Appleton Pass trail, then ascended to the pass. I left most of my gear and followed the climber's trail to Cottleton (South Appleton), then continued to Appleton. If your main goal is Appleton, it's faster to cut across the lower slopes (my return route) and head more directly towards Appleton (despite losing that elevation).