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DSCF0293.JPG22 viewsMy tent in morning light; Zpacks Duplex 2. At 2 ¾ lbs, with the stronger spruce fabric option, a ground cloth, stakes, and using trekking poles for support, this is the lightest shelter I have used, easily withstanding the driving hail of last night’s thunderstorm. Yes, I had trouble trying hurriedly to drive all 8 stakes to the hilt in the cramped space with a thunderstorm bearing down. Fortunately, there were enough rocks to back up the less secure placements. The tent made me a fan of trekking poles!Sep 21, 2020
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DSCF0288.JPG16 viewsSunrise; inlet, Cove Lake.Sep 21, 2020
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DSCF0287.JPG16 viewsSunrise; west side Cove Lake, south of inlet.Sep 21, 2020
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DSCF0286.JPG17 viewsSunrise; saddle between D. O. Lee Peak and WCP9. In the foreground, reflections, inlet stream, Cove Lake.Sep 21, 2020
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DSCF0285.JPG17 viewsSunrise; inlet, Cove Lake at 9842’. Not a trace of last night’s storm. Today will be a layover day. I intend to fish, and relax—something I have not done since starting out two days ago. There are lakes close by I have yet to visit. Two years ago I camped in this very spot, and the fishing was great.Sep 21, 2020
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DSCF0284.JPG17 viewsAbove Cirque Lake looms the saddle I crossed in the height of a thunderstorm, just an hour before. After descending to Cove Lake, I hurry to get the most important things out of the way; tent, food hung, water pumped. No sooner do I accomplish these tasks, all hell breaks loose; thunder, lightning, wind and hail for forty minutes. The storm moves east before dark, and with half an inch of hail on the ground, I am able to start dinner. No fishing this evening!Sep 21, 2020
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DSCF0283.JPG12 viewsSapphire Lake and below that, my destination; Cove Lake.Sep 21, 2020
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DSCF0282.JPG13 viewsAt 5:50 pm, just a few minutes from Cirque Lake, I feel a sense of both relief and accomplishment safely crossing into the Big Boulder Lakes basin. The light is fabulous with the passing storm.Sep 21, 2020
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DSCF0278.JPG19 viewsThe thunderstorm moves east after unleashing thunder, lightning, and hail at the worst possible point of the crossing; the tedious traverse in loose scree leading to the exposed ridge. Though carrying raingear, I did not dare stop for a moment. Reaching the saddle, I knew the fastest descent route, having climbed here two years ago from the east side. Nestled into the rocks, below the saddle, I put on dry clothes and warmed up. This was one of the more frightening experiences I have had with lightning!Sep 21, 2020
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DSCF0275.JPG26 viewsThe plan is to ascend the ridge in the foreground to where it meets the rock (left of frame horizontally, middle of frame vertically), then climb up and right to the black rock outcrop (at the edge of the shadow. There is supposed to be a sheep trail that leads up to the saddle from the top of the outcrop (trail follows the line of the shadow to a point left of and higher than the low point of the saddle). The weather still looks good!Sep 21, 2020
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DSCF0274.JPG30 viewsMy goal for today is to cross the saddle between WCP9 and D. O. Lee Peak, the second saddle to the right in the frame, due east of Bighorn Basin. Ocalkens Lake is in the lower left. In the interest of saving some time, I decide not to descend to the lake, contouring south at an elevation of 9300’ directly into Bighorn Basin. I still am carrying enough water to get over the saddle.Sep 21, 2020
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DSCF0270.JPG24 viewsLooking west; Watson Peak on the left above Iron Basin. I have not crossed any water since leaving camp.Sep 21, 2020
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