Up Swamp Creek

Not often when backpacking does one get such spacious accommodations with full kitchen and, when the mists do part their swirling veils - such stunning views. Tents aren't too bad either, but this was a treat. We didn't see much the first day which made it all the more glorious upon waking. Baker, Shuksan, Goat, the Pickets behind us, the canadian Cascades up North, the clouds below. With so many photo ops it didn't take long to figure out that the fresh battery I had put in my camera before leaving wasn't fresh at all... it was dead. When I got done kicking myself I borrowed my brothers camera... which soon stuttered to a halt as well. But not until after we climbed Larrabee the next day, a red pile of rubbley rock, but a fun scramble nonetheless.

After two nights on Winchester we headed cross country over to the Yellow Aster Buttes. Initially we tried to navigate a ridge line that on the topo looked to be a promising possibility until real life cliff bands proved otherwise. Eventually the other side of the ridge worked out nicely, with a snowfield up top providing a fun glissade down into the valley. Tomyhoi, the other mountain we were going to climb, was not to be had. After a full night of rain (in tents and bivy), and thick morning fog, our trajectory turned downward. Out we trudged on a boletus lined trail, going as we came, in the mists.

8.23-27