Siyeh, Cracker Lake

This incredible view is the stuff of a mountain lover's dream, but it's the real deal! This is Mount Siyeh, as seen from the east ridge of Allen Mountain. We are looking south, directly at the impressive 4,000 foot wall of Siyeh's north face, which has officially been climbed only twice. Both climbs involved overnight bivuoacs. Glacier has a number of great faces such as this, which are considered among the highest vertical rise faces in the North American Continent. Far below is Cracker Lake, with its irridescent color, the result of concentrated glacial silt. Cracker Lake is huge, although here it is reduced to an afterthought. Trees from such heights also blurr into patches of green, losing their individual appearance. Such views need to be experienced to be believed and truly appreciated. Glacier National Park, Summer, 2006.

Digital photo by Aaron Johnson