Adventures in the Wind Rivers

Episode 6

Thursday, we still had two full days left and we decided to stay at Camp Waterfall to rest up, hiking in the Winds isn't as easy as hiking in the Uintas back home. The Winds have more ups and downs along the trail. I am torn because of my love of the Uintas, but the Winds are winning the battle for my favorite place to backpack. The four hour drive doesn't even come into play! I have taken some amazing pictures, however they do not do the Winds justice. If you get the chance to visit, do it! You simply have to experience them!

Our morning started off late and the fire required no cursing or bribery, even the rain refrained from tormenting us that night. Breakfast was late also, everyone slept in a little longer knowing we were not hiking today. It had been a very long week and it was taking its toll on us, especially our feet! After breakfast began causing our next bout with nausea (dehydrated food is light and does taste good, it doesn't play fair when your body tries to digest it), Coltin, Trevyn, and Layne jumped into the inlet of 1000 Island lake.

As you can see from the picture Greg took, I was in a watch cap and had my rain jacket on because it was COLD and those boys were willingly swimming in the inlet!

 Garrick was trying to get one of the boys the soap and slipped on the slope next to the inlet and scraped up his arm pretty good. He remained in good spirits!

 

After watching the boys shiver, Greg and I constructed a shower so we could wash with WARM water.

 



It wasn't the Radisson or a Hilton, but it was a luxury none the less! The water pressure was better though, for those of you that have ever stayed in a hotel. It took seven or eight jetboils each but we had warm water to shower with! It's amazing how you whole outlook changes when you're clean. After our showers we did some laundry and Greg strung a clothes line to hang them.

Greg and I took advantage of the fact Dawnette was with us and took the chance to head back up the gorge to do a little angling.

 

Fish on a "steek"! Dawnette mentioned that she would be willing to try some fish, so Greg and I brought some back. She still isn't a big fan of fish, but hey, it wasn't dehydrated!

Greg's picture! He likes the boots in the foreground.



More shots form our gorge excursion.

The fishing in the gorge was pretty awesome, not of epic proportions, but awesome! After dinner we strung the bear bags up and sat around the fire until hitting the bags. After getting into our tents another storm rolled over us and it got close, very close. We had a lightning strike very nearby and the thunder was deafening. You could smell the ozone from the strike. It was the closest lightening of the trip and completely lit the interior of the tent with blinding light. The storm kept circling, while dazzling and frightening us with it's ferocity and pyrotechnics; I was getting a little concerned.

To be continued...