Full Monty (almost) in Arnica Lake

 1 August 2021

Having extended, and in some cases over-extended, ourselves the previous day on Emerald Peak and Mount Carnarvon, we opted for something "leisury" - a hike to Arnica Lake, the distance of around 9.6 km (return), with the altitude gain/loss of +760/-200. 

From the left: Mike, Dragan, Boris, Barbara, Gennady, Aleksander, Keith and Ola. 

For this auspicious adventure, we were reinforced by Ola, quickly rebranded by our Bosnian friends as "Sashka." 

I had difficulty finding the parking for this trip as it is named after Vista Lake, and not Arnica Lake. 

In the first part of the trail we lost about 200 meters going down to Vista Lake. 

It seems Gaggi should be more careful about how he packs his backpack. He also tends to take too many unnecessary things. 

Down at the Vista Lake (Storm Mountain in the background) ...

... we bid farewell to our friend, Gennady, one of the conquerors of Mt. Carnarvon the previous day. Gennady needed to go home and only came with us for a while, to stretch his legs. 

The trail to Arnica Lake has a nice, steady incline that was not too hard on our legs. This allowed for some "machismo" - here Gaggi looks as if he just returned from Mt. Everest. 

I had a pleasure to hike with the Great Karma Yogi, Barbara ... 

... who can also demonstrate some impressive, if not to say, inviting, asanas! 

We reached Arnica Lake in less than 3 hours. The day was beautiful ... 

... so the idea of taking a dip in the lake was irresistible ...

... though getting into the lake was somewhat tricky. 

Kitus went in first, experiencing for a moment a squeeze of his testicals by cold, mountain water.  

Soon he was diving ... 

... and eventually went for a "full Monty." 

Mike also went for "full Monty," but behind the rock. 

Soon the whole lake was buzzing with male energy, which perhaps kept away a grizzly bear that was spotted 2 km from that place. 

Seeing all this (somewhat aged testosterone) made Barbara want to run away ... 

... while Sashka could not stop laughing (while carrying bear spray just in case). Lake allowed us to take a few good pictures, likely contenders in the Categories of ... 

... "Sexy Man" ...

... and "Pretty Woman in the Mountains" (in our next photo contest). 

Soon it was time to head back. 

I like descending with Gaggi who, bursting with humor and good energy all the time, also has a similar pace. 

At Vista Lake we rested a bit ... 

... and rehydrated, before the final climb back to the cars. 

We cemented our international friendship by singing "O Canada!" and "O Maryjanno!" in the hostel. What an intense and rewarding weekend it was! Until the next time, my Friends! 

Your correspondent:

(PR)