Day 3: Lower Ottoway Lake to below Isberg Pass - 11 Miles

Lower Ottoway Lake

The day started early once again for me, and I was packed up and ready to go before the darkness cleared the sky.

Funny thing happened that morning, I forgot to pack my tent inside my backpack, and I just strapped it on above my sleeping pad.... which worked great. Something I repeated for the rest of the trip. Saved me space, and kept my weight closer to my hips.

So, I went up. 1500 feet over 2 miles of beautifully switch-backed trail. I was feeling tired, and slow, and was definitely plodding as I climbed, but every time I looked back down over my shoulder, the view kept getting better.

I found my pace (I was definitely the tortoise for this trip) and kept rolling up the switchbacks. I wish I would've counted them.

After about 45 minutes, I was above Upper Ottoway lake, as the path turned slightly northward and headed straight up to Red Peak Pass.

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Upper Ottoway Lake

Leaving Upper Ottoway Lake behind, the switchbacks got tighter as I climbed, zig zagging my way up towards Red Peak Pass.

Only once on the climb did I force myself to stop due to over exertion, after 2 full days on the trail, I finally found my agonizingly slow pace which let my breathing and my heart rate keep up with my ascension.

It is always tough to keep your head up while hiking, especially uphill, staring at each step to be sure of footing as you go up. I also made a conscious effort to not try to guess how far I had left, as it always seemed to slow me down. Suddenly, I looked up as the ground flattened ever so subtly, to see how far I had to go... and dropped a huge F-Bomb.

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I'd gotten to the razor's edge that was Red Peak Pass, and suddenly, the next valley was open before me. 

I climbed up on a rock and took that picture, and decided to sit and have breakfast. 

The view was incredible.  As I sat, another fellow rolled up to where we were, and then the twosome of Aaron & Krystle. 

The four of us chatted and enjoyed the amazing scenery. 

As I stood up and strapped my pack back on, sitting at 11,200 feet, I was excited. It was already an amazing day (more to come, in part 2).