Flashback: Enchantments

I have to call this a "flashback" post because these photos are from August. 

In fact, "Flashback Friday" will be happening for the next few weeks. 

Things got so busy I never had time to blog these photos, 

but they are some of my favorite memories and need to be recorded. 

(image source)

Jason and I have entered the Enchantment lottery for two years, 

and this year he finally got us a permit. 

So at the end of August we set out with Michael and Katie 

for two nights in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness... 

We hiked up to Snow Lake and set up camp. 

We re-hydrated some lentil soup for dinner and enjoyed 

some canned IPA that was worth the extra weight in our packs. 

We looked over toward Aasgard Pass  

and got some sleep before the next day's climb.  

 We began by hiking around the lake, 

which required climbing across massive boulders. 

Just a few days before, a woman had to be helicoptered out 

after falling here and suffering a head laceration. 

 We made it through and looked up at Aasgard Pass... 

It doesn't look so bad from here. 

Looks can be deceiving. 

We took frequent breaks and watched 

as the lake appeared to get smaller and smaller. 

It took hours and lots of snacks to make it to the top. 

 When we did finally reach the top we entered a completely different world. 

 We filled our water bottles in the 

cold clear streams that connected the lakes. 

And we feasted on carrots, hummus, and cheese. 

 Here we are! 

 Our original plan was to continue up Little Annapurna, seen above. 

We were running out of daylight and had to cancel that plan.  

 We still had some time to explore the Upper Lakes. 

And throw some snowballs. 

And of course take a million photos. 

 Going down Aasgard Pass was as hard as going up. 

People have died from falls here. 

You can see how tiny Colchuck Lake looks from here. 

 People have also died from mountain goat attacks. 

This one decided it would be fun to follow me.  

We made it down as the sun was setting, 

and it was dark by the time we reached our campsite. 

We hiked back out the next day 

blistered, bruised, and aching. 

It was an epic three days that I will never forget. 

Best backpacking trip ever.