Tom and I loaded up the van and headed east for the Lemhi Range. I grew up in this area and camped many times below Bell Mountain…… I had no idea anyone would be crazy enough to climb it!
Bell Mountain is not the highest peak in the state but for sheer prominent intimidation, there are few more grand.
June weather in this part of the world can be sketchy but I don’t think the heavy stuff is going to start for a while so we should press on.
After a nice leisurely drive, we arrived at our base camp and settled in. FYI, Mount Borah, the highest peak in Idaho is the tallest, furthest image left peak on the right.
I think an afternoon stroll is in order so we walked up the canyon.
Bell Mountain is our objective tomorrow. We could not see the summit of Bell from camp, maybe that is a good thing.
When Michael and Brian arrived, Tom and I knew that mayhem was about to ensue! I’m guessing that between these two nut jobs that they have climbed over 3000 peaks in their lives.
In the distance, Nicholson Peak shines. Many of the highest peaks in Idaho lie in the Lemhi Range. Nicholson is just over 11,000 feet tall. We are camped at about 6,700 feet.
With the arrival of John, Brian, and Michael, our first night crew settled in and began to catch up. We are all disciples of JP and each of us had a different prospective of our savior.
Later on the evening light baths the area.
Sunset Series Image 1
Sunset Series Image 2.
It was time for bed as it’s going to be a big day tomorrow. Bell Mountain will be the objective and at 11,600 feet it’s quite spicy.
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