[pct-l] Stehekin fire pics

[Brett]

http://community.webshots.com/album/553227601NbQbVr

Here's a close-up look at the recent fire near Stehekin, as 
photographed from the unique vantage of the Lake Chelan 
ferry in late July. The fire created reduced visibility and 
surface smoke over the entire lake, including at the Chelan 
dock some 50 miles east. But what was lost in aesthetics was 
probably recovered in sheer excitement. As the photos 
illustrate, the Lady of the Lake ferry had a front-row seat 
at the fire suppression efforts, as we watched three 
helicopters pull water in turn from the lake to release 
large torrents as a "water break" (wetting down the live 
vegetation) along the hillside.

The photo album is a bit unpolished, but also contains a few 
shots of Stehekin itself including the Pastry Co. and nearby 
Rainbow Falls. Also look for image captures from the P.O. 
hiker register in town, with southbound '06 entries 
highlighted as well as a few from 9/11/01. (I had reached 
Manning on 9/09.) The final shots are of the PCT just north 
of Rainy Pass, where the Tripod Fire was burning east of 
Cutthroat Pass recently, as vaguely illustrated in one 
particular image.

The Lake Chelan ferry is a memorable experience. As is the 
"resort town" of Chelan. Both would make very worthwhile 
diversions for thru-hikers with the time and inclination.

Stehekin fire "best pics":

Ferry approach:
http://tinyurl.com/r9tjf

Sikorsky water stream:
http://tinyurl.com/qgdzq

Reloading (note the tethered water scoops):
http://tinyurl.com/mng7v

Fire Overview:
http://tinyurl.com/nhtbj

Black bear at Lake Chelan wilderness shoreline:
http://tinyurl.com/eouo7

Mountain goats at Lake Chelan wilderness shoreline:
http://tinyurl.com/hr4ns

-blisterfree

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