On Sunday Bryan and I started a 4 day, 30 mile traverse we ended up calling the "T-Traverse" because it's major crux was Transcendence Pass, which was more of a peak climb than a pass. We decided most climbers would agree it doesn't fit the normal image of a pass which is generally an easier way between two higher/steeper points. Instead it was the same steepness as the higher/steeper points but a little lower in elevation. Anyway, the trip went great with 4 days of bluebird skies and 50-60 degree temps. Bryan was sick the whole time so we didn't do anything too crazy, and now that I am back home I have gotten sick too. Thanks for getting me sick Bryan. We hung out at the Pichlers Perch hut all day Tuesday, laying in the grass and soaking in the sun. Ate lots and read all the old climber's journals from the hut. On Wednesday we got up at 5:00am so we could travel down the glacier to Eklutna Lake while the snow was still hard and frozen. Travelling on wet, warm snow during the heat of the day gives you a higher chance of falling into a crevasse. We had no problems but saw lots of crevasses. Last week Bryan rode his mountain bike out to the end of the lake with mine strapped to his back so we could ride back to the car rather than carry our 60 pound packs another 10 miles. The bike ride only took 55 minutes and we celebrated by getting Philly Cheese steak sandwiches at the Birchwood Saloon, which is sort of a motorcycle gang bar but has awesome philly's.The route went as follows: Eagle River area to Ram Valley, through Bombardment Pass down to the Peters Creek Valley, up to the headwaters of Peter's Creek and up Transcendence Pass, down onto unnamed glacier, down to West Branch Eklutna Glacier, over to East Branch to Pichler's Perch, down East Branch to the Lake and mountain bike to the car.
As always, my point and shoot doesn't capture the true beauty of the area like a bigger camera might, but I hate carrying an extra 5 pounds when I already have so much..
