Heidi and Dan in front of my campsite.It was actually pretty fun, even though I forgot my book and ended up going to bed early. Our campsite was next to an alpine lake and a stream. After I set up camp, the dogs and I walked around to the back of the lake, up onto a moraine, and then to a lookout above the lake. There were a bunch of little animals living in the rocks on the moraine, and I saw a couple of pikas! I saw one on my very first hike in AK 7 years ago and haven't seen one since. They're pretty shy.
The pika! He's pretty camouflaged. I had to crop it a lot, so the resolution isn't that great.Then we came back to the tent, and I went skinny dipping while waiting for dinner to cook. I spent about 30 seconds in the water because it was freezing! It was really warm out and I dried out really quickly, though.
The next morning, I woke up early and went for another short hike to the back of the main valley. I saw some sheep back there, but they were really far away and I didn't get a good picture. Oh well. We returned to my friend's house that afternoon, just as everyone else was getting out on the trailhead. I was happy that I had been camping the night before, when no one was out there.
So, no bears! Yay! And it was fun, although I definitely would prefer to go with other people. But I am not against doing it again.
Me and the dogs at the campsite.
3 comments:
wow. nice work there, squirrel! your landscape is so different from what i associate with camping — when we go, it's into the interior of a very foresty park with lots of lakes... not so wide open, so the idea of doing it alone freaks me out . but it looks gorgeous and sounds like a cool [and brave] thing you did.
never heard of a pika before, but he's cute!
how's life treating you? i'm back on top, though a bit disturbed by the entire voyage through down and then back up. for now, though, am not thinking about it. am eating watermelon at 3am and that's that. — sv.
Good for you girl! I would be afraid of bears too, but I imagine I would feel pretty safe with the dogs around. Way to go!
Yeah, the dogs were a big help to feeling safe. :) I also sang a lot, trying to scare away the bears -- which must have worked, although it's a little embarrassing when you come around the corner and run into another hiker.
sv -- I'm up for now, although I anticipate more roller-coaster type stuff as I start grad classes and go through the job questions (again)! But I'm glad you're back on top. Hope the new job treats you well!
Post a Comment