adventures
Four of us headed up from the highway towards Mesahchie Pass, a 5 mile, 3000 foot elevation gain bushwhack. It took about 5 1/2 hours hiking, 7+ hours on the trail. This section was gentle and very pretty. Huckleberries were out in force, and we saw lots of bear shit, but no bears.
The first few miles were through coniferous forests, so the ground was mostly logs of various stages of decay. Lots of log scrambling was required. Going got much rougher through dense young conifers and short conifers on steep slopes. The bar on my old external frame pack kept getting snagged on branches, so I had to crawl on the ground in some places.
The valley narrowed and we were forced to wade through the willows surrounding the creek. I felt like an elephant except that I couldn't push everything down. Our next goal was the rock gully below the conifers at top center.
Climbing. Trekking poles were essential.
Next was ascending a very steep (~30 degree) slope with no footing - slippery heather, bare dirt, and no rocks to brace on. We braced ourselves on tree trunks growing out of the hill. I was pretty tired by this point, but we still had a ways to go - a false summit/valley, another ascent, then our camping spot.
Arriving at the pass just before sunset, almost at our campsite for a delectable cold burrito, a fresh sauteed mushroom (bolete) that Paul found, and amazing TJ's chocolate truffles. We were all in bed before 9, even I fell asleep a little after 9:30.
Black bear print - sadly no grizzly prints.
The stream meandered through the pass below Kitling Peak, pictured, and Mesahchie Peak (higher). Check out those glaciers - they won't be there in 50 years.
The purpose of the trip was to check the cameras put up by Conservation Northwest to see if wolves or grizzlies come through here. I was the lure girl - among others, we applied beaver anal secretions. Yum!
We climbed up to the ridge in the morning and crossed this scree field. I can't get enough of this stuff on dayhikes, but it's a different beast with a 35 pound pack affecting your balance.
Looking back to the pass from the ridge.
We followed the ridgeline, climbing from 6000 feet at the pass to about 6500 feet, getting beautiful views but lots of exposure and slippery rocks.
We dropped pretty much straight down to the highway from here. My feet got really beat up - I think they may be worn out - I go through boots too fast! Rob had to take half my tent and my food bag. I got blisters on my thumbs from the trekking poles. Not a happy hiker here!
Glacier melt is freaking painfully cold. Apparently a month ago this water was thigh deep. Glad I went late! Another long day - hiking by 9:30, back to the car around 3. We returned to the car for some alaskan amber and a 3 hour drive home.
