4,714 feet | ranked 11/46 in height | 16th peak climbed
My sister was my hiking partner again for Colden; what a relief to find a partner eager to climb more than one mountain per year (my husband's self-imposed limit). Neither Erin or I had been through Avalanche Pass before, so we decided to make a loop of the hike, ascending via Lake Arnold and returning through the pass.
Much as Street and Nye did with regard to "trailless" peaks, this hike boosted confidence with regard to hike length. We've already completed most of the hikes that total 10 miles or less, and it was empowering to
choose
the longer and more challenging return route through the pass rather than go back the way we came. And so rewarding! Avalanche Pass is truly amazing.
 |
| Junction |
 |
| At Lake Arnold |
 |
| On the false summit, with the true summit looming |
 |
| Looking back at the false summit |
 |
| On the summit ridge |
 |
| Someone jerk stole the benchmark |
 |
| On the summit, with Marcy, Gray, and Skylight behind us |
 |
| Hightailing it off the summit ridge as a thunderstorm approached |
 |
| Heading down |
 |
| Flowed Lands and Lake Colden |
 |
| Juncus trifidus, Arctic rush |
 |
| It rained just enough to make the descent a bit slick, but quickly blew over. Blue skies again for Avalanche Lake. |
 |
| Trap Dike |
 |
| Hitch-up Matildas |
No comments:
Post a Comment