JP Memorial Backpack (Day 3) – Frank Church Wilderness, Idaho

Today we headed up the ridge from base camp to the trail junction and turned right instead of left.

This was going to be a little more serious effort as we are headed out to Papoose Peak. In the end, it will be about a 13 mile round trip.

Heather Weather checks the current conditions up on the ridge for reporting later in the day.

Along the ridge, it started getting knifey at times.

As the morning progressed, the smoke started setting in. In the distance, our primary objective for the day, Papoose Peak.

At times we were walking through this ghost forest.

Giant standing snags.

Three quarters of the JP Memorial crew with Papoose Peak in the background.

Strange light and smoke….. and honestly, these three characters aren’t exactly normal either!

Brian talks trash about how big a fish he will catch (notice the fishing pole) while Mariel graciously pretends to listen.

More rolling up and down the ridge with a small pond below in Upper Trapper Creek.

Trapper Lake with Papoose Peak on the right.

Our first official peak for the day was Peak 8780. Jenny gets the honor of first summit.

Jenny is not traditionally a peak bagger but eventually, even after passing, JP will win you over!

Jenny and Mariel on the final approach to Papoose Peak. You can tell that Mariel is related to John as the closer she gets to the top the more her arm starts flapping and eventually pointing.

Jenny and Mariel turn on the jets as we approach the summit.

Of course Brian and I get an arm flex from the crew at the summit.

Once on the summit, the traditions start, a summit group hug and stories of similar adventures.

Smokey views from the top of Papoose Summit.

As we drop back off Papoose Peak we decided to visit Trapper Lake. Turns out that Brian has a bit of a fishing problem and generally limits himself to 5 casts at a time.

Time to roll back up and down the ridge to base camp.

As the afternoon unfolds, rumbles of thunder promise a chance of airmass. While nerve racking on the ridge, the promise of cleaner air will be very welcome.