Summer Catch-Up Post...

Whoops. It's now been a couple months since I posted, despite a three week trip to TX and the northwest at the end of August. Hopefully everyone interested has found the photo galleries from the hiking here and here. I'll summarize the highlights here quickly:

-I was in Austin, TX for a conference, but like the last couple years I was able to spend the weekend before with cousins and family in Arlington. Always amazing to see them, eat some good food, and relax! Highlights of the conference include real tex-mex food. There is nothing remotely good in that vein here in Ithaca. Also, one evening activity was a riverboat cruise along the river that goes through Austin. We were definitely away from the downtown area, cruising through some pretty wealthy neighborhoods. Honestly felt more like CA than TX.

Pennybacker Bridge, Lake Austin. From a riverboat cruise that was part of the conference.

-Got back to the NW just after a heat streak. Did a short hike to Gothic Basin to wet the appetite for later in the week. Weather was dry, but moody which made for fun photos!

Foggy Lake, living up to its name

Looking out over Gothic Basin from Gothic Peak over the clouds socking in the valleys.

-Went on one of the most ambitious backpacking trips I've done. 5 days/72mi along the Alpine Lakes stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail. It was a blast, and a good chance to make use of some of my lightweight backpacking gear which made it quite bearable. The weather definitely could have been better, as we spent a good bit of time hiking through clouds oblivious to the magnificent beauty that was no doubt around us. there were a couple nice days though, so all in all it was well worth it!

Avalanche Lake, on the one sunny morning of the five day backpacking trip

Beneath Cathedral rock, on the one sunny evening of the trip.

Kendal catwalk, on the last day. The fog was awesome here, since it made the cliff just fall down hundreds of feet into oblivion.

-After so many days of bummer weather, I managed to get out on one more day hike before I had to come back to the northeast. This time the weather was picture-perfect, and the hike was the most beautiful hike I have ever been on. Period, no doubt in my mind even two months afterwards. The Enchantments are well know for both hiking and climbing, but are normally done as a 2-3day backpacking trip. However, traveling light and fast it was a decent 25 mile day hike.

Leprechaun Lake. One of about 11 lakes in series, each one stunningly beautiful.

Perfection Lake. I agree.

Prussik Peak. Alpine climbing heaven.