donning headlamps

So much energy at 1:40AM.

 

We hiked all the way through Boulderfield in the dark. Ruth and Todd's headlamps lit the path. We surpassed treeline after 2 miles in and had 3 miles of alpine tundra until Boulderfield. In the tundra, there are no trees or shrubs and the path is completely exposed all the way from treeline to Boulderfield. At night, we could see miles of hiker headlamps slowly working their way up the path. We were about middle of the pack.

 

When we reached Boulderfield it was still dark and the wind was blowing. I (Elaine) wasn't sure if we were going to be able to pass through Keyhole. However, from the edge of the Boulderfield, I saw a headlamp appear at the Keyhole and disappear through the other side of the mountain. I was thrilled - it looked like Keyhole was passable!

 

There was almost a new moon so the stars were really vivid. With the hikers' headlamps, the stars, and the silhouettes of the mountains against the sky, this was actually one of the most scenic parts of the hike.

Done