October 15-17, 2004, Big Schloss backcountry

Matt Curran, Ben Magruder, Andrew Froom, Kyle Andrews and Bill Andrews convene at the beginning of the the weekend. Matt adheres strictly to the "go-light" maxim.

Just walking along the ridge early Saturday morning

Approaching Big Schloss (schloss is German for castle) at midday, we did indeed have fun storming it.

Not quite at the top, Bill, Shelby Lederman and Donna Tosh take time out to smell the foliage.

Shelby and Ben at the summit

Shelby, Andrew, Ben & Kyle

The weather proved quite fickle with plenty of bluster and drizzle, a rainstorm circling and taunting, but the caring eye of the midday sun smiled broadly all along.

Ben, Bill and Donna hunker down for lunch.

Donna and Bill demonstrate their bear-bagging prowess.

Shelby and Ben break down camp, and Kyle finds time for a leisurely stroll around the premises.

Bill, Donna and Andrew almost all packed up Sunday morning, with a healthy dose of hot beverages in their bellies.

From the cold morning streamside mist to the late morning arboreal meadow on the way back to the autos.

Shelby adroitly and swiftly negotiates the last of a dozen or so stream crossings.

Filthy but elated at the end of the weekend sojourn. Back Row: Andrew Froom, Shelby Lederman, Ben Magruder, Kyle Andrews, Donna Tosh. Front Row: Mike Karg, Bill Andrews