Ptarmigan Traverse- Day 5- July 26th 2013

ram

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Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5

Ziff and I had planned for 6 days on the traverse, as with a washed out road, on the way out. We awoke 25 miles from the spotted car. It was hard to prepare to leave the world of the alpine, but I had a flight home the following day. In fact doing it in 2 days meant hiking out the day of the flight. I always like a little more spice in things.

This was no ordinary, trailed hike either. Much of it was trailless, first through blown down trees. Later meadows, several miles long that were near impregnably thick and so pungent as to be hard to breath. Add in a log straddle over a rushing stream, more blown down trees on unmaintained trails, bugs buzzing about, a hot sun...you get it. Glad we had rounded into shape mentally as well as physically.. Mix and match and add an 8.4 mile road walk at the end.

We were to camp before the road walk, but it was only 5 PM, the bugs were out and I felt that if I stopped, I might never be able to start again. And if...maybe....could we....get out early enough, we could rush to a restaurant and have dinner and a.....beer!
In the final few hours, every step was an agony, so much so as to be laughable. Its key to have someone to be able to complain back and forth with. But we made it, had that meal and that.....beer. I had two. I wasn't driving. The traverse took 100 hours and 50 minutes. Hope you have enjoyed the story and pictures.

heather at the campsite
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packing up in the morning
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With Glacier Peak keeping us company
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Ziff feeling the love
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Streams and moss alps
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reflections in Cub Lake
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Cub lake
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600 foot vertical uphill over a pass
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What, me worry?
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Into the meadows
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What is this?
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Log over the stream
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All....Fall....Down.
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Who's idea was this?
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The Mud, the Blood...headed for the beer
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A dream of green
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wearing down
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forest glow..headin home
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Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5

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Wow! 25 miles in one day through that junk?! I think I would have passed out before the beer got to the table! Thanks for sharing these with us, it's been fun to follow along. Beautiful country up there!
 
Wow! 25 miles in one day through that junk?! I think I would have passed out before the beer got to the table! Thanks for sharing these with us, it's been fun to follow along. Beautiful country up there!

Once at the car, furiously stripping out of that gross clothing! Ugh! Kept the legs straight in the car (45 minute drive), drinking sparkling waters and one Monster, scared of cramps. Occupied three chairs in the restaurant. One for each straight leg, out at 45 degree angle. Took forever to walk to the bathroom. Ziff said I was listing to starboard, like Fred Beckey did in his late 70's. (he partnered with him once). had chicken teryaki drenched in salty sauce. Oh oh oh how tender the bottom of my feet were. It was a great 3+ week trip

Glad you enjoyed the series of TR's. It was fun to recall them
 
Hard! Impressive. Love the imagery (as usual, don't know how you do that).
 
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