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A handful of days disconnected in the Willowa mountains
I spend much of my life online, something I once reveled in, but have always sought to balance by disconnecting and going outdoors. This year, 2018, I made the longest solo backpack trip I’ve managed since Ann sagged me on the Continental Divide Trail in 2004. On that trip my longest stretch between resupplies was…
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July 25 – Climbing results, final thoughts
I try climbing at Mores Mountain, then head for Ann’s parents house in Nampa.
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July 12 – Recovery climbing at Sinks Canyon
We contemplate the reasons good visits can wear us down, and climb a few fun routes outside Lander, Wyoming. Don’t get worried if there’s a delay in posts after this, the next phase will take me far from the internets.
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July 6 – shakey slab, trail loop, and mosquitos
I describe Vedauwoo slab climbing, piece a fine muddy trail loop together, and ponder the mosquito season.
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July 5 – wildlife encounters, fantasia, and shower 1
We are among the creatures who emerge to play today before we drive down the hill for a quick freshener.
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Island lake pass
Having completed our backpack trip we join Ann’s parents at the Thomas canyon campground. We rest during a day of rain storms that leave the peaks dusted with snow and temperatures noticeably cooler, then make a day of joining two rugged canyons over a fantastically rocky pass. It's cold in the kitchen Snow above Starting…
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Ruby Crest Trail Day 4: south fork Smith creek to Harrison pass
Our last segment is less grandiose than prior days, but intimate and full of small surprises. On our first ridge we meet a party of northbound hikers from Reno who agree to let us take the vehicle they left at Harrison pass back to Lamoille canyon for them. Return trip problem solved! Here and there…
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Ruby Crest Trail Day 3: peak 10,207 to south forth Smith creek
Most of the day is spent traversing the magnificent, rocky Overland creek basin. Water sources appear, as well as bright autumn aspen. Ann on peak 10,207 Starting into Overland basin Rock swirls Ann and King peak Overland basin Limber pine portal Rocks above Ridge trail Overland basin and playa Below King peak Small milkweed bug…
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Ruby Crest Trail Day 2: Liberty lake to peak 10,207
We soon encounter the 12-mile waterless segment of the trail along the crest. Ann gets footsore before it ends, but we have enough water to stop for the night. Mountain goats, soaring hawks, and the smell of sweet anise all grace the day. Favre lake at dawn Morning coffee Ann climbing to Lake pass Treating…
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Ruby Crest Trail Day 1: Lamoille Canyon to Liberty Lake
At last! Ann and I head out for our first full week off in two years. Our destination has been tempting us for years: the Ruby mountains. We get on the road early so we can get a few miles of hiking in before nightfall. Most people hike this trail northbound, but we’re bucking the…