Idaho Exposure

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Home > "Epic White Cloud Backpacking Loop" revisited, August 16, 2022

Most viewed - "Epic White Cloud Backpacking Loop" revisited, August 16, 2022
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 DSCF0482.JPG11 viewsNo bighorn sheep to be seen. I’m disappointed, wondering where they are. I spot an interesting natural arch, which I missed on my previous excursion.
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 DSCF0561.JPG11 viewsFrom the ridge south of Ants Basin, the White Cloud Peaks northeast of Ants Basin.
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 DSCF0487.JPG10 viewsThe objective comes into view; the D. O. Lee/WCP-9 saddle on the skyline (mid-frame). I plan to leave the trail just above that rock outcrop near the bottom of the frame below D. O. Lee Peak, which is on the skyline, just right of center. My route climbs through the trees to the right of the frame, entering Bighorn Basin (about mid-frame, on the vertical axis). I believe the trail descends to Ocalkens Lake (on the extreme left of frame); I’d rather not lose that much elevation.
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 DSCF0490.JPG10 viewsThe final approach to the ascent to the D. O. Lee/WCP-9 saddle is strewn with huge potato bug looking insects I later learn from Tempe Regan, a biologist studying at BSU, are Mormon crickets. The plan is to climb the firmer rock on the buttress on the left, to the horn, pass it on the left, and traverse to the ridge on a goat trail. The route is steeper than it appears here, using a 30mm (35 mm equivalent) wide lens. I’m concerned about lightning, having already felt a few passing raindrops, but have hea
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 DSCF0497.JPG10 viewsThe view down, east-southeast, into the upper reaches of Bighorn Basin from the D. O. Lee/WCP-9 saddle. The Sawtooth Range can be seen across the Sawtooth Valley.
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 DSCF0501.JPG10 viewsThe goat continues traversing the snowfield, seemingly reluctant to descend any further.
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 DSCF0560.JPG10 viewsFrom the ridge south of Ants Basin, I was hoping to see the entrance to Iron Basin above Warm Springs Creek. The haze, and the fact that is in shadow make it very difficult to see.
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 DSCF0495.JPG9 viewsFrom the D. O. Lee/WCP-9 saddle, the view west-southwest beyond Ants Basin, across the Sawtooth Valley to the Sawtooth Range. There are numerous storm cells in the distance.
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 DSCF0498.JPG9 viewsFrom the D. O. Lee/WCP-9 saddle, the view west-southwest beyond Ants Basin, across the Sawtooth Valley to the Sawtooth Range. This is view is slightly further west than photo 495.
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 DSCF0546.JPG9 viewsHalf way around Born Lakes (9555’) the freight rain arrives on time at 4:30 pm.
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 DSCF0556.JPG9 viewsFrom the ridge south of Ants Basin, the view north down the Warm Springs Creek drainage. Behind that ridge (in the light) north of Warm Springs Creek lies Iron Basin. The highest peaks on the right are the more northerly White Cloud Peaks. Fortunately, the rain has stopped.
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 DSCF0558.JPG9 viewsThe “Devil’s Staircase”, west northwest from the ridge south of Ants Basin. I descended the more northerly chute on the right. The chute to the south is hidden behind a rock rib, and lies below the large shadow, just above the center of the frame, below the pinnacle.
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