Ross Lake

This started near the end of August during a stretch when the lower trails were still busy and the higher country was already getting cold at night.

Joel and his friend, Nate Ellis, had taken a boat ride to the Big Beaver landing on Ross Lake.

Their plan was a few nights up the valley with time built in to wander around and look at the big cedars.

They weren't attempting a technical climb or trying to cover an absurd amount of ground.