Super Awesome Loreli

For your entertainment and delight, here are some recent Loreli-isms.

Mom: "Loreli, Sing Follow the Prophet  for Dad"

Loreli: "Follow the Prophet, don't be scared. Follow the Prophet, don't run away. Follow the Prophet, don't go that way. Follow the leader, follow the prophet".

Dad: "Loreli, How old are you?"

Loreli: "Two" 

Dad: "How old will you be on your birthday?"

Loreli: "Um...Waffle"

Loreli to Dad: "Whats you mom's name"

Dad: "Gena"

Loreli: "NO! Gramaw"

Dad:"Right, Grandma.  Loreli, what's your Dad's name?"

Loreli: "Um, I don't know"

Dad: "Am I your dad?"

Loreli: "No.

Dad: "Who am I?"

Loreli: "You're my Shea".

I can't want to = I don't want to

The Down That Never Ends

The next morning started very early because it had the potential to be a very, very long day.  We were scheduled to summit which could have taken up to 7 hours, then we had to make it back down to where we camped the first night, which should also take 7ish hours, but of some pretty nasty terrain. 

 Jack standing where the rocks meet the glacier, which is also where we determined that we took the wrong direction and weren't going to be able to summit. 

 That is looking down what we had to come up, just to get to the glacier. 

 We took a little break there at the glacier. 

 The glacier is significantly smaller than it was the first time I saw it, but it is still pretty huge.

 Base camp is next to that lake you see, way, way down there. 

Gannett Peak is right above Kyle's head in this shot. 

 Since we didn't make it to the top, we got headed down early-ish

 Kade and Jason were already way ahead because their girly-parts were hurting the day before. 

 River crossing #1 for the day

 This is at the top of what we are about to go down.  Insanity!

 River crossing #2

 Crossing #3 and the doozy of them all.  Just off the picture to the right there is a  waterfall onto sharp, jagged, wet rocks and the river is really moving right there.  The first time this was accomplished we fashioned a zip line across after Big Jack attempted suicide by jumping off the waterfall with the rope tied around his waste.  

 This time it was half jump half pole-vault

 Some attempts were more successful than others, but no one was washed over the waterfall.

 Although Jack's Ipod was in his pocket and as you can see by his pants, he went in a little higher than he had planned. 

 And then back across the river

 This is at the bottom of the rock/river adventure but as you can see, it is still a long way to the bottom of this canyon. 

 Kades's boots were another casualty of the trip.  They ended that day by being loaded down with rocks and tossed into the river. 

My right foot was another casualty.  Don't worry it was only swollen and painful for a week or so after the trip. The next time I say I am going to climb Gannett, I want one of you to shoot me.

Yes...I'm an Idiot

For those of you who know what Gannett Peak is, then you know that it is the absolutely worst thing anyone could think of inflicting themselves with.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with Gannett Peak, it is the absolutely worst thing anyone could think of inflicting themselves with.  More people have been to the moon than have successfully climbed Gannett and thought "that was fun. I'm glad I did this". Most people don't make it all the way and those that do left half of their brain somewhere along the trail up. Since this is my third trip, I have very little grey matter remaining. Which might explain why the potato salad won't quit laughing at me. 

 It all starts well enough.  You are rested, no sore muscles or tendons, you ate people food recently.  Life is just peachy. 

From this direction the view is very pretty and you are glad to be there.  Three days from now when you are going the other direction, these are the ugliest, longest lakes you have ever seen in your life and the sage brush fields that just wont end make you happy God invented forest fires. 

 1st lunch on the trail

 Kade's 410 calorie zinger stuffed meal bar.

And some quick blister repair and we are off again. 

 When you get to where you will be staying the night, the first matter of business is usually lying down.  Setting up camp and finding more food will come later, but for now we just need a moment.

 Here Kyle is setting up his tent and above him you can see where our trail starts tomorrow.

Sorry did I say "trail"? I meant you can see where we decide to leave the trail and start trying to become mountain goats.

 First step to becoming a mountain goat, leave the trail

 Then cross a river on wet, moss covered rocks

 Then cross it again on a wet, slippery fallen tree.

Then start climbing up

and up

and up.  But make sure you leave the dirt behind and climb up on sharp boulders and loose rocks.

Then keep going up

and up

make sure to eat lots of wild raspberries that are growing out of the rocks.  This step alone makes me a really good mountain goat.  I probably ate 5 pounds along the way.  Probably more as an excuse to stop, but whatever. 

when you think you are to the top and almost there, don't look up!

You still have a long way to go. 

This little mountain oasis is kind of the half way point into the madness upward.  It does make a nice place for a lunch break. 

 Getting there is still a challenge though

Mountain goats don't wear clothes.

 Then just keep going up.  AAAHHHH!!!!!

Eventually you make it to base camp.  There is a lot more pain, and horror in between these last two photos, but I was focusing too much on not passing out to take pictures.

Coming Soon: The trip down.