The seven week break in between semesters was a dream. I loved every second of it, and really felt like I continued to come to terms with so many aspects of my life, some things that have been obstacles, and some things that have really defined me and given meaning to my life. I travelled to the Frank Church/River of No Return Wilderness for a week long backpacking trip with my brother (and hero) Joseph, and two of his colleagues and friends, Jaren "Flying J, Javier, Xavier, J Stroke, etc.." Watson and Braden "Bort, Bort-ner-ine" Hepner- also stalwart guys that I look up to.
(Joseph)
(Jaren)
All of this was at the end of our destination, Ship Island Lake. Granite towers called the Big Horn Crags where the lake winds through and spills into the Salmon river (see photo below). I have never been anywhere like this in my life. The wilderness area is a granite batholith, so there are parts of the terrain that are completely made out of smooth rolling granite. This particular location beneath the Crags is a perfect example of such terrain.
Braden at the slide
Ship Island Lake
Braden, Jaren, and myself decided to summit part of the Crags. We enjoyed a spectacular view but noticed a storm coming in from the east which prompted us to descend as quickly as possible.
A trail run in the rain ensued and we ran the long way around the lake to enjoy and explore more. This is a picture of the crags at the end of Ship Island Lake
Perhaps a better picture of the Crags
Fish Fin Ridge
Crags (Joseph)
Crags
Crags
The wilderness sprawls on for as long as the eye can see, being the second largest wilderness area in the lower 48 states, the first being Death Valley.
(myself)
(Braden)
All of this was at the end of our destination, Ship Island Lake. Granite towers called the Big Horn Crags where the lake winds through and spills into the Salmon river (see photo below). I have never been anywhere like this in my life. The wilderness area is a granite batholith, so there are parts of the terrain that are completely made out of smooth rolling granite. This particular location beneath the Crags is a perfect example of such terrain.
Braden, Jaren, and myself decided to summit part of the Crags. We enjoyed a spectacular view but noticed a storm coming in from the east which prompted us to descend as quickly as possible.
My experience in this place gave me such a fond love of the great state of Idaho. The seal of Idaho includes the Latin phrase "Esto Perpetua" which means, "let it be forever." I feel like that phrase is justified and validated, and that it even needs to be upheld and protected in light of the great beauty and natural masterpiece that the Frank Church/River of No Return Wilderness is and encompasses. While posting these pictures and trying to decide which ones to use, I was frustrated because of how none of them do any justice to the magnitude of this area, but then realized that I'm happy they don't. Perhaps the beauty of such places and the feelings they invoke should best remain in the vaults of memory and the crucibles of the heart, where they last and continue to inspire, having witnessed them first hand.
