Idaho Exposure

Hiking, Climbing, Backpacking, Snowshoeing, Backcountry Skiing. Photos by Thomas Oetzell; idahoexposure.com

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DSCF1047.JPG
DSCF1047.JPG1 viewsThe wide end of the telephoto (55 mm) on the previous day's descent route; the 'cheese grater'. This descent involves good route finding and an ability to judge what will go, and what will not.
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DSCF1048.JPG1 viewsThe Z Pack Duplex fit snugly into this spot near the outlet of Scoop Lake.
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DSCF1049.JPG1 viewsThe climb S to Windy Devil is still in shade. I still want to catch that trout before climbing out of here.
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DSCF1051.JPG1 viewsI threw back at least one small trout while fishing off the peninsula near the SW end of the lake. It's a good place as one can cast several directions, depending on the wind, and the water is deep. The small ones bit, but the larger, smarter fish checked out the grasshopper and left quickly. I decided to quit. It was already 11 am, and I wanted to get going nasty weather closed in. Just E of the peninsula, I saw a cove that was protected from the wind. This fish struck on the first cast. Not very big, but I was afraid if I released it, it might die anyway. I decided to pack it out.
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DSCF1054.JPG1 viewsThe clouds had already closed in, shading the steep climb (S) out of Scoop Lake toward Windy Devil. A wet sleet began falling. I thought about digging in the top packet of the pack for the rain cover I remembered to bring this trip, but figured it would stop by the time I found it. I kept climbing. The peninsula I enjoy fishing from is in the foreground. The breeze continues to blow across the lake.
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DSCF1055.JPG1 viewsAnother shot of the 'cheese grater'. As stated earlier, the pass is in the vicinity of the low point of the saddle, but several notches go; pick the one that looks good to you. Just beyond the foreground rock slide is a nice place to camp, but a group beat me to it last night. They were out of there early, anticipating the weather.
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DSCF1057.JPG1 viewsNot quite to Windy Devil, the Serrate Ridge on the left (N) extends down from Castle Peak further (S). By now I was hearing thunder and getting a bit concerned about lightening, which, thankfully, did not develop.
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DSCF1062.JPG1 viewsAt Windy Devil, the sun pops out briefly, lighting the foreground, and the N end of Serrate Ridge. The ominous dark sky tells me the drama is not over.
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DSCF1063.JPG1 viewsThe NE face of Peak 10857' drops down to Shallow Lake (hidden), due S. The SE face, hidden from view on the left, drops all the way to Quiet Lake.
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DSCF1065.JPG1 viewsFrom Windy Devil, the pinnacle standing above and immediately S of the Devil's Staircase comes into view WSW.
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DSCF1066.JPG1 viewsPeak 10857' above the tarn just SW of Windy Devil. Didn't need to carry as much water from Scoop Lake. The water level of the tarn looks low.
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DSCF1067.JPG1 viewsThe pinnacle marking the descent down the Devil's Staircase to Born Lakes is just ahead. This tedious route cuts a full off of the backpack into Boulder Chain Lakes. Not that Four Lakes Basin and Quiet Lake are not worth visiting. Note the hail on the ground. Fortunately it was soft like snowflakes, rather than hard like marbles.
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