August 25

The rain last night was not as bad as yesterday’s, but everything is wet and we are again slow to get around. I start water for coffee, and rehydrate green chilies and peppers for our breakfast burritos. We make the full package of 12 crystalized eggs, with Andrew’s promise to eat any left overs. We do our best to make the camp bear, and more likely chipmunk, proof. We cram our fishing gear, lunch, water and filter into Andrew’s pack. He declares it super light and shoulders it like the man he has become.

We march around Island Lake and start our climb into Titcomb Basin, named boringly after brothers Charles and Harold Titcomb. The sun is shining on the mountain peaks, but clouds are forming forms we do not like. Andrew steps on to what he thinks is solid ground, only to sink into mud over the top of his boot. Brian finds it quite hilarious, Andrew significantly less so. We stop to fish and to clean Andrew’s boot at the cascades between lower and upper Titcomb Lakes.

I set up my pole and take my first cast across the inlet. Suddenly from nowhere a fly fisherman appears and asks if we have had any luck. When I say that was my first cast he apparently sees an opportunity and quickly posts up at the mouth of the inlet, denying the rest of us access. He eventually catches nothing, which feels a bit like justice. Unfortunately, when he finally leaves, we try our luck with the same results.

On our way back we take and alternate route by an impressive cascade. Brian, Andrew and Mike start fishing. Brian declares it too shallow and stops, but Andrew continues and of course snags. Andrew tries everything to pull loose, including letting out a ton of line and walking way around to pull from the other direction. Mike casts and appears to have action on his line, only to realize he has snagged Andrew’s snag. They are now pulling each other. It is great fun to watch the confusion and eventual unsnagging of both..

We continue down to a waterfall which pours into Island Lake. We fish and hike our way back around to our camp where we start rehydrating broccoli and ground turkey for our macaroni dinner. We all fish again. Mike is the only one successful, landing an impressive 2 lb rainbow, which we agree to let go.

Tomorrow will be our toughest day, including Lester Pass at over 11,000 feet elevation. We pray for no rain tonight so we can get on the trail quicker.