Idaho Exposure

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

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DSCF0321.JPG13 viewsHalf an hour later, I encounter the upper of the two tarns alternating my path between the ridge and the drainage. Once again, I move right (N) to re-gain the ridge, avoiding boulder-hopping. The saddle is above and left (E) of the highest snow in the couloir. The route crosses under the buttress (in shadow) in the upper right of the frame. The route unfolds as one progresses, working its way up through the broken rock buttress, well above the tarn, toward the higher snowfield.
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DSCF0342.JPG13 viewsI awake to a clear morning, make coffee and oat bran, and set out to try my luck fly-fishing.
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DSCF0352.JPG13 viewsScoop Lake looks promising, but once again, I catch only smaller rainbow trout that are all released. I plan to walk to the car today, deciding fish no later than 4 pm. I have viewed the Devil’s Staircase from the tarn west of Windy Devil, and am under the impression it does not involve much climbing, if any. Therefore, the late start seems perfectly reasonable. I am carrying extra batteries for my headlamp, and the trail beyond Born Lakes is well established.
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DSCF0353.JPG13 viewsHeadwall, Scoop, and Hummock Lakes; Boulder Chain Lakes basin from the south.
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DSCF0360.JPG13 viewsZ-packs tent city! I count no less than 5 of these tents in the meadow adjacent to the lake—the same tent I am carrying!
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DSCF0480.JPG13 viewsThe drainage has forked. Here, the east side is dry, but the west side is feeding the stream where I camped last night. There is a packer’s camp, complete with tree stump stools, just ahead in the shade of those pines. Other than that, there is no sign anyone has passed through here. It’s a short climb to the entrance of Iron Basin proper.
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DSCF0482.JPG13 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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DSCF0485.JPG13 viewsThe upper reaches of Iron Basin are wide open, making for pleasant travel. I'm now getting views of the steep ascent above Bighorn Basin. Clouds have moved in, a relief from the heat of the direct sun, but also making me anxious about the possibility of thunderstorms. I had hoped to get an earlier start.
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IMG_1614.jpg12 viewsEarly morning thunderstorms associated with an upper level trough.
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IMG_1653.jpg12 views... a big fan.
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IMG_5555.JPG12 viewsAbove Alpine Lake, ascending to the saddle just northeast of Peak 9769.
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IMG_5579.JPG12 viewsThe White Clouds on the horizon west from the Baron/Warbonnet Lakes saddle.
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