I felt like I needed to make up for my poor performance in May, and on top of that, Kristin and I wanted to get more practice in anticipation of our AT trip. We decided to do the same IAT segments I had done in 2020, except as an out-and-back from the west end to avoid the need for a shuttle. We worked out a roughly 65 mile hike, for 6 days/5 nights. The trip was really great, and we completed it with flying colors. We ended up going further than planned to Westpoint Campground, so completed 68 miles total. Weatherwise, we had sun, clouds, drizzle, rain and a thunderstorm with lightning strikes as close as a quarter mile. Nothing we couldn't handle, and we were able to stay mostly dry through it all.

I must say that this portion of the IAT is incredible! We loved the campsites at Sailor Creek and the north side of Lake Eleven - we could have spent several days and nights at each just relaxing and taking in the beauty. The eskers along the trail are also super cool, and we had fun imagining what the melting glacier landscape might have looked like ten-thousand years ago, how the waters would have been flowing, wondering if humans might have been present to witness it. As I write this 6 months after the trip, looking at the pictures again, I am drawn back to the place and the experience... and I will return.