Right off the bat, this trip was
going to be a bit of a challenge for Pete. For years he’s dealt with a damaged
disc in his lumbar region and in the weeks prior to the trip it had been
particularly bad. It’s never hurt on a backcountry trip before, but when he
hefted his pack that morning, within a half mile, his back began to spasm.
Thankfully, the scenery as we climbed up towards Piute Pass was an amazing
distraction from the occasional cattle-prod of electricity that shot through
his back.
We passed under the massive south
face of Mt.Emerson. We’d met some folks departing the trailhead earlier that
morning with a rope and a rack heading for that peak - must be lots of good
alpine climbing around there. The views just got better and better and we all huffed
and puffed towards Desolation Basin, where we’d leave the trail and head north
on the High Route.
We had a snack at Piute Pass and
soaked in the views out into Desolation Basin and south to Glacier Divide. We
hiked a couple more miles to Lower Desolation Lake where we set up camp for the
night. Another relaxing afternoon passed with wading in the lake, taking lots
of pictures, and seeing the occasional jackrabbit. Andy taught us a new card
game, which appropriately was called ‘Piute’. Pete went to bed early but Andy,
Mica, and Becky stayed up late and enjoyed the stargazing from this high
treeless basin.
No comments:
Post a Comment