My deepest and sincerest apologies for not writing up a trip report earlier or details regarding my and Alex's unintended route. Better late than never? Here's the skinny:
Sorry Dave, we actually headed up to Big Salmon Lake after climbing Pendant and camped at the mouth. We changed our route from Burnt Creek to Big Salmon last minute to avoid the extra 1,000+ feet of gain around Lena Peak/ Big Knife Lakes (Alex was sick all night Friday Night/Sat morning; thinks he got food poisoning from Hungry Bear. Nerves maybe?)
At dawn Sunday, we made the move across the Bridge, south, down to the confluence of the White. The original plan was to swim the South Fork of the Flathead at White River Park but found the water volumes to be shockingly dangerous and we reluctantly rerouted down to the Big Prarie Pack bridge where we ran into Morgan and Justin. We all ate, talked, watched the pack train go by, then all 4 of us continued on to White River Park for camp and John headed back up Gordan I believe. This 27 mile day was what caused the overuse injury to Alex's ankle.
Monday morning we parted with Justin and Morgan and hiked a meager 17 miles up the White to Brushy Park, set up camp, and nursed Alex's ankle a bit before Tuesday's attack over Larch Hill.
Tuesday at 12:00pm we found ourselves at the Larch Hill split, face to face wit an adolescent black bear. After a five minute standoff we circled each other and started our descent to the south, back up and around to frozen My Lake, to Spotted Bear Pass, down Rock Creek, to Gates Park by headlamp (note: we actually camped a mile short of Gates Park, back in the trees to avoid crossing the meadow to Gates Park FS Cabin. Lighting flashes of unknown proximity forced us back into the trees.)
Wednesday started out as a bail-day to West Fork TH (via Route Creek, Nesbit Creek, Teton River) where we would hopefully/possibly get Alex picked up by Greg and Kate and I'd continue to Swift. After getting there late that evening, Alex's inflammation had subsided a bit and things were looking optimistic for a Thursday finish.
Thursday was very eventful. My Zpacks, Cuben-eVent jacket soaked completely through by Mile 4 on the Teton. Never have I experienced rain like this in the Cascades; the arctic wind that accompanied the rain amplified conductive heat loss to the point I was no longer able to create a positive pressure inside my Jacket and prevent water intrusion by positive vapor transfer. Next time I head to the Rockies I'm bringing a MLD Pancho Tarp for sure.
At around 2:30 we made it to the mouth of Swift where we knew high water would force us to walk around the North shore of the reservoir. With record rain fall Thursday, the fords were "challenging" to say the least (challenging= hazardous, reckless, irresponsible). 2.2 miles after a brief scare with Stage 1 Hypothermia (read: Alex didn't know who I was or where he was, excessive stumbling, no longer feeling 'cold'), we made it to Swift Dam TH to find the Guiness still cold and warm/dry clothes ready to Change into….ahhhhhhhh. The end.
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