Mandy Climbs Wind River Peak

Wind River Peak



DAY ONE (August 7th, 2012):

Loaded packs, calling our names at the Worthen Meadow's TH.

   Niether of us had backpacked any where in a few years.  We've been spoiled with Llamas for many years.  However, doing this trip in the peak of the summer backcountry season meant all the Llamas were booked up and busy working for Lander Llama Co.  So... we decided to go old school and see if we couldn't tote our own loads for this trip.

   

 Mandy saddled up, ready to ride.

     This whole trip was Mandy's idea.  Climbing Windriver Peak was something she decided she needed to do before she turned forty.  Since that will be this October, we needed to get it done this year.  This would be my fifth attempt, first via backpacking.

Mandy at the head of Gill Park.

   We took advantage of our fresh legs the first day and pushed hard, covering ten miles.  It took us the better part of nine hours, but set us up for a shorter, easier second day that would give us time to prepare for climbing the peak.

Mandy at Bill's Park.



 Mandy makes here way down a gap through the rocks on her way to Tayo park.

 Finally, Tayo Park... at 6pm (we left at 9am)... taking the Twin Lakes trail.

Mandy enjoys a cup of tea before hitting the sack in Tayo Park.

DAY TWO (August 8th, 2012):



 Mandy takes a break at Poison Lake, on our way up to Tayo lake.

Wind River Peak (in the background) comes into view on our way up to Tayo Lake.

Heading up!

Mandy relaxes in the shade of her umbrella above Tayo Lake, resting up for the big climb. 

Our little green teepee in the sky.  One of my favorite campsites!



Mandy cooks up some dinner.  Our kitchen had outstanding views, complete with granite countertops.

Checking the maps and getting gear ready for an early morning attempt at Wind River Peak (in the background). 

DAY THREE (August 9th, 2012):

Mandy way above Tayo Lake, on her way up Wind River Peak.

  I got up at 5am- ate some breakfast and rousted the Mandy monster.  We were hiking by 6am.  It was a bit overcast out, which made me nervous.  Getting caught in any kind of weather on Wind River Peak, would not be good.  I was glad we were able to get an early start.  I kept my fingers crossed that the weather would hold for us.

Looking back down at Tayo lake from near the top.  Weather was holding, the views were getting incredible!

Mandy on top of Wind River Peak!

She made it!  We reached the summit around 9am, taking about three hours to climb.  Still overcast, but hardly any wind at all- conditions were good for spending a little time on the peak, soaking the views in... and the accomplishment.

Shad on the summit, the El Capitan glacier below... way below.

Weehoo!

Mandy and Shad on the summit of Wind River Peak.

Mandy takes a break on the way back down from the summit.

   It took a little less time to decsend back to camp from the summit.  We were back at camp by noon.  With the clouds building, we decided to break camp and head for lower ground.  We figured if we put in a few miles today- we'd be able to come all the way out the next day, completing the trip in four days.

Saddled up, peak bagged, ready to roll! 

Mandy, takes in Wind River Peak from Tayo lake, one more time, before starting the long hike home.

Mandy leads the way down, homeward bound.

Mandy sipping on tea, wrapping up another big day in the Winds at our last camp in Bill's park.

DAY FOUR (August 9th, 2012):

Mandy takes a break at Sheep Bridge, gathering strength for the last 600 vertical ft. ascent back up to the trailhead and our truck.

   Day four was mostly the standard Middle Fork slog.  We left Bill's Park around 8:15am and took the Middle Fork trail all the way back (we took the Twin lakes one going up).  9 miles or so later, we ended up back at the truck around 3pm.

Mandy at Frye lake, celebrates climbing Wind River Peak (in the background) and 30 plus miles of backpacking in four days.

Our route.  For more detail info, and interaction, click on the link- http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/123467195

THE SUMMIT VIDEO: