North Base of Roberts Pass (11,150)

Trying to avoid enormous boulderfields under the cliffs of Mt Emmons East ridge, the forest service trail from Atwood Basin drops over 200 ft, then regains 600 ft over countless switchbacks, which were all covered by late-season snow and ice when I got there. The magnitude of this end-of-day ascent may have been a rude surprise to me, but gotta admit that the area is beautiful, even more so with the dusting of snow and with the slanted rays of afternoon Sun. 10/29/08 4:30 pm