Christmas escape

I can think of no better way to get away from Christmas madness than casting off on a three day tramp into alpine valleys with good friends. Fine weather, pristine mountain wilderness and curiosity combined for a great trip.

None of us had entered South Temple valley before so all was new and delightful and even the river crossings with our friends' 9 year old daughter posed no problems.

Climbing a seven pitch rock climb on a buttress of Steeple Peak was a different story for Dave and I on the second day. With no detailed route description we got off route onto some very loose rock but eventually made our way safely to the summit in time to hurry back to camp just on dark for a welcome dinner around the campfire.

River crossing

Mountain terrain

On the summit of Steeple Peak