Today was a good day. The sun peeked thru the clouds timidly at best, with snow spitting occasionally and clouds being more the norm. But that didn't deter us from enjoying another easy day with a thirty minute walk back to the cache we left at 9,500' leading to a pleasant romp back to camp in the early afternoon. With the days work behind us we had only to review some climbing basics with our ice axes and crampons to get ready for tomorrow. It is beginning with the terrain above that the real climbing starts. And we're ready for it. Lighter packs and steeper slopes will be a welcome respite from the slogging done thus far. Our last fresh food meal of burritos revealed that everyone was feeling strong here at 11,200' as the team left nothing uneaten. We'd love just a bit more settled weather for our climb up Motorcycle Hill, Squirrel Hill and Windy Corner on our way to our cache site at 13,600', but I suppose if we just have calm weather we'll be happy. At eight hours round trip this will be our longest day, and our first day of higher altitude, but I know the team is ready for it. We'll leave you with a little poem Lindsay composed: "With sleds in our pack We take the downhill track. Zipping to 9500' for the cache We grab the food stash. Back to 11 we go With light weight sleds in tow. Tomorrow we will carry up the hill And hope to continue our good weather fill" Until tomorrow, RMI Guides Brent Okita, Leon Davis and Lindsay Mann

On The Map