Cam, Rahul, Willard, and Bang
Welcome to the Bighorn Mountains! Buffalo did not let us out easy— from the moment we left town, we started climbing! The first big climb was over 3,000 ft in about 12 miles, putting us at 7,500 ft above sea level. The day started out hot— even that early in the morning it was still 75 degrees! But as we climbed it got cooler both in temperature and in scenery.
Speaking of cool..!
Jacob and Brian crushing the climb
After the first climb we had some up and down hills at that elevation, eventually bringing us up to 8,400 ft (about 1,000 ft in 7 miles). Mountain weather is as mountain weather does; we ran into a few minutes of rain and even a bit of hail, but it didn’t last long and definitely didn’t ruin the view. After a fun 4 mile descent, we made up the lost elevation and more with the final climb: 2,000 feet in 10 miles!
Go, Bang, go!
Onwards!
And then, the peak of Powder River Pass!!! We reached the highest altitude of the ride so far at 9,666 feet! It feels so good to summit after hours of working hard, climbing at what feels like a snail’s pace. But we did it! And then we got our own reward; a decent of over 8 miles, into our campsite.
A nap— top two summit celebrations and it’s not number 2
Gibby, Maya, and Ellie! They did it!
After setting up tents, some of us went swimming/wading in the lake (and picked up a freeloading leech or two), and then we grilled and had a watermelon eating contest. Maya & Kate won, with Gibby and Willard coming in second, Claire squared in third, and Bang and I in last place. What can I say? Sometimes you eat the watermelon, and sometimes it eats you back.
Sunset on the lake was gorgeous, and those of us who woke up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom got to see a great view of the stars. We had a successful day and slept well in the cold mountain air. Here are some easy stats:
Distance today: 42 mi
Total elevation gain today: 6,480 ft
Highest altitude: 9,666 ft
Best watermelon eaters: Kate and Maya
Worst watermelon eaters: Bang and I (debatable)
Ultimate losers: Leeches and the dust at the foot of the mountain
Melon gathering
Maya and Kate, champions in the making
Today’s climb was a big source of both anxiety and excitement for the team, and to say that we’ve finished is an amazing feeling. Personally, this climb makes me want to fast forward to the next! But tomorrow I’m sure I’ll be feeling differently, as we get to spend a lot of the day heading downhill. I’m so proud of my teammates and everything we’ve accomplished!!
— Marielle
Bang, Willard, Claire P., and Maya climbing around at a rest stop
Sign says: Bighorn Dolomite, Ordovician, 435-500 million years
Another group entering Bighorn! Maya, Kate, Sofie, and Gibby!
Kate staying on top of those stretches
Snowcaps!
Rest stop best stop…
Sometimes it’s nice just to lay down
Traversing up and through
Claire P. and the mountain cows!
The peak in all its stormy glory
Gibby, Ellie and Kate feeling great
Offroading!
Down to camp we go!
The campsite
Brian opening a can of beans with a tent stake and a mallet…
…Bang and I splitting a watermelon using the same method
The hammer was useful until Willard used his bare hands to rip the watermelon in half
Maya abandons her spoon…
…and Gibby soon follows suit
Simply just vibing
Claire N. at peace with the melon consumption
Meanwhile, champion Maya demolishes her melon
And champion Kate looks like a polar bear after a dinner of seal