This hike was all about route finding on the perfectly smooth powder. We all took turns breaking trail. The snow at times was deep and the terrain was steep.
The views were spectacular. Decisions needed to be made on which route to take. We were trailblazing.
The snow was deep and the shadows were long. We make our way out of the trees and crest over what could possibly our summit push, but first you need to look back at the views and what you have accomplished so far.
Over the top and onto the ridge. This is the view of the other side.
It got spicy at the top. First, the summit box was pink and decorated with rainbow and unicorn stickers. Second, the kind soul who summited before us left us a bottle of Jack Daniel's Fire and a Magnum condom. Thanks, kind stranger!
We then took our turns posing for summit beer photos!
Admire the large and take in the details.
Jill is a great poser.
We decided to descend a different way than the one we came. Did not regret this decision. The landscape changed drastically.
4 Hikers and the World
"Hey! Go stand over there!" is something I say a lot. I love adding a human element to my photos to add a sense of scale. It's difficult to interpret the world without a banana for scale.
This descent route revealed many interesting perspectives and rock formation. These steps were gigantic! Wish I had a human for scale. Each step was about 15 feet in height.
At this point, the sun was beginning to set. It had long descended behind the mountains to the West of us.
Light remained as it illuminated the sky and the faces of the mountains unobstructed by its gargantuan peers.
This hike was amazng for so many reasons. The weather was perfect, the powder was perfect, but most importantly, the people were extraordinary.