July 16th Kodak Peak to Pear Lake

Slow going trying to find the right twists and turns in a snowy landscape, when strangely and unexpectedly a solitary figure is seen just downslope without a backpack. Robert was a section hiker scouting ahead for a good route higher. His wife, Bonnie, and their equipment were waiting further downhill for his return. I wonder what she was thinking when she saw him arrive with two scruffy hikers in tow. We exchanged info about trail conditions and John took advantage of their sewing kit to resew the seat of his trousers, which had blown out. As he said, "After all I've been through, this is just adding insult to injury." By noon we had only made four trail miles. Trying to make time I pushed hard but not wisely and missed a trail junction in the snow. I had found a trail, but not THE trail and so we went off course for about an hour/two miles. John took a GPS reading and realizing our mistake we got back to the junction and continued the seemingly unending slog through snow. We were hoping to reach Lake Janus but revised our goal to Pear Lake due to our delay from our walk on the wild side and the continuing battle with the snow. It was dusk and the light was beginning to fade before her dark green waters came into view. I was so happy to pitch my tent and bring this day to a close. With the wind whipping and the mist swirling I swore that tomorrow we were getting out of this place and putting a close to this section!

Tribute to the Ice Axe

Lake Sally Ann

A Look Back at Glacier Peak

13 Miles