Retreat!Mar 02 2019

Another trip ends

Mar032019
Map thumbnail of location

BRRRRRR.

Howling winds, very cold temperatures, a foam pad on the snow, and, well, an open tarp tent didn't really make for a super restful sleep. However, the tent stakes didn't wiggle a millimeter which was awesome. I'm super glad for my -10F bag because I really needed it.

At daybreak, I convinced myself to leave the warmth of my bag, cram my feet into my frozen-solid shoes and go look at the sunrise. I missed the best part but it was still totally worth it.

Daybreak!Daybreak!

After a chilly breakfast we decided to pack up (so our stuff didn't blow away) and hike back to the infamous Bunnes Beach -- we had hours to kill until the boat came anyway. So off we went!

While it was cold, the hiking made my shoes thaw and got my toes nice and warm again.

About to start the climb up the pass to Bunnes BeachAbout to start the climb up the pass to Bunnes Beach

We reached the summit an hour later, around 10:00am. We decided not to go down to the actual beach because it was a really cold and annoying and windy descent. Instead we hid in the lee of a big boulder, ate some chocolate, drank some whisky, and just enjoyed being out there. Or at least I did; I can't speak for the thoughts in Maria's or Bahar's head.

Maria crossing the bitterly cold passMaria crossing the bitterly cold pass
Looking down at the beachLooking down at the beach

We descended after that and reached the village very quickly -- around 11:00am. We still had a few hours to wait, and the wind was still howling. However, the sun was shining, so we went and explored town!

All of those tracks are oursAll of those tracks are ours

When walking around town, we spotted a very cool (and unfortunate) sight: the grisly end to a hare. I've never seen something like it before!

Poor thing.Poor thing.

After killing an hour in an unlocked shed we found (thanks!!) we saw the ferry approaching so we went out to the pier to meet it.

Our saviors!Our saviors!

After another beautiful ferry ride, we were back in town. A bit more time-killing in a coffee shop and we were on a bus headed back to the airport, right on schedule!

Beautiful views the whole wayBeautiful views the whole way

While we had to change our plan drastically, it wound up being an awesome trip with great friends.

I definitely need to come back.