Bomber Traverse

Jay and I did the Bomber Traverse late July while we waited for Nate to return from the slope.  Our mission was to scout the area for potential ski runs in the spring.  We started from Gold Mint Trail in Hatchers Pass.  

Lucy was prepared with her backpack, as always.

The looming clouds in the distance started to pour when we were about 2 miles away from the Mint Hut.  Jay and I were happy to dry off in the hut.

This is a picture of the hut at the end of winter.  It's always amazing to look at the difference.  Some winters it's completely covered by avalanche debris. 

Cinnamon Rolls for breakfast….. they were a bit stuck to the bottom of the pot. 

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That didn't stop Jay. haha We tried our best to dry out our socks and boots but everything we owned was slightly damp the rest of the trip.

Day #2

Hiking up to Back Door Gap.

Mint, Double Mint, Triple Mint, Peppermint, Tenemint Glaciers

Lucy looking over the Penny Royal Glacier.

Standing on Backdoor Gap.

Denali is out in the background.

Using Crampons…. Very exciting!

Figuring out which way to go….

Bomber Hut.  Just as we showed up to the hut two other women coming the other directions had made it to the hut just before us.  They decided on a whim to check out the hut and they were lucky it was stashed with some extra food that hikers had left behind.  We had a great night chatting, hiking around the hut with them and looking over maps together since we were both going the opposite directions. 

Dunking our sore feet in the lake while Jay purifies some water. 

Beautiful colors. 

Magical rainbow.

Day #3…. Lots of bush whacking = not many pictures.  Jay and I were eaten alive by mosquitoes and very stuck in tall alders.  

Lucy, catching a quick nap.

Snowbird Glacier.

Snowbird Hut.  We met up with a mutual friend, Kari, and several other groups filtered into the hut as the night went on.  It was by far the most luxurious hut.

Day #4  Hiking out on the snowbird glacier.  Jay broke through the glacier and fell up to his elbows.  Luckily his pack stopped him.

After we climbed over the pass we hiked down in dense fog.  It was an amazing trip.  Lucy was lucky enough to sleep in extra sleeping bags at all of the huts.  We're incredibly grateful for the MCA to maintain these mountain huts.  Hopefully we can make it back in the winter :)