1982: The Pasaytan Loop, page 6

Clouds reflected in Hopkins Lake.

The first thing I did was to set the tent up and try to dry it out a bit. The next thing was to hobble down to the lake and soak my tootsies. Then Micki and I ran around taking pictures before dinner. The broken clouds made for a pretty sunset and the snow on the surrounding cliffs and nearby Soda Peak was very picturesque.

I am proud to report that I have figured out a neat way to dry out my clothes. I put the stove near my feet and while the water is boiling, I lay a shirt across the far edge of the windscreen and bring the other end up over the stove, onto my knees. It works really fast, plus it keeps me quite warm.

Hopkins Lake and Soda Peak.

I had to use both of my T-shirts to mop up drops of water in my tent last night. It seems I didn't quite seal the seams as thoroughly as I had thought. Oh, well – it's not too bad, just a couple of spots. But it doesn't take much.

Man, it rained hard last night. It was very reminiscent of Necklace Valley, except I did not have to use the climber’s pee-bottle routine. (Look it up; I am not going to explain it to you.)  I actually went out twice to empty my bladder. I realistically estimate there was just a little more pee on the ground than rain on my head and shoulders by the time I got back into the tent.

Hopkins Lake sunset. Soda Peak in distance

Now after our big dinner, Micki is in the tent on my sleeping bag and I am propped up against a tree writing this. By the time we finished dinner it had begun to cloud up again. Now the sky is completely covered. We may get snow tonight! Plus we had a few hail pellets a little while ago.

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