The plan was to hike in to Boston Basin for a 5-day overnight, with a wide assortment of classic peaks to choose from. Boston Basin is one of the most popular alpine climbing camps in the North Cascades. First to Marblemount to repack and permit up, then an evening hike up the 2100 foot approach to the Lower Camp in Boston Basin, with plans for Sharkfin the next day, then maybe Forbidden Peak (West Ridge), then...

Massive repack in Marblemount.

The gang, ready for a 2-3 hour hike up to the Basin.

Across the street, the impressive North Face of "Joanie", including the couloir I climbed in 1976 (yikes) when I was young and foolish.

Lots of nice wildflowers here - this being on the "wet" side of the Cascades. Here's a pentstemon that was prolific and showy.

A local favorite - Devil's Club!

Bucky chilling out at a waterfall, about half way up.

Ramoo all smiles - now that we are hiking uphill with heavy packs on.

Thomas (me) crossing the stream just below camp.

Cookin' up some din-din, Bucky foreground, Joanie background.

Glacier and ridge, above camp. We did not know it then, but this would be our only clear view of the ridge.

Sunset light on Joanie. Photo was not so great, so let's make it weird in Photoshop...

A little cloudiness portends a change in the weather.