This four photo sequence...

This four photo sequence chronicles the scariest event I have ever witnessed in the mountains. In the first frame is the Isabelle Glacier on the northeast flanks of Apache Peak. Just as I had strapped on my crampons and started ascending the Isabelle Glacier a monsterous crashing noise made me look up at the headwall. A giant boulder the size of a small bus had fallen on the top of the glacier and was cartwheeling in my general direction, this is shown in the second frame. As it reached the center of the glacier it veered to the right and broke into smaller fragments before slamming into some other boulders with a monsterous crash, shown in the third and fourth frames. I was quite rattled and a little awed. If you climb the Queens Way Route please take time to notice the boulders strewn about the middle of the Isabell Glacier. Beware how they got there... September 1, 2003. Jon Bradford