Hiked first up to Jade Lake to set up camp. Lowland area was largely flat and very easily traversed. The last few miles before Jade were a bit trying-- the incline was steep, the trail was quite rocky and/or rooted, and the sun was unrelenting. But with support from hiking poles and the promise of imminent dinner, we pressed onward and upward. The mosquitoes and blackflies were plentiful, and swarmed constantly (one member of our party had suffered 52 bites by our return to the trailhead). Mosquito nets and repellent staved off some of the horde.
We traipsed through the valley, admiring wildflowers and waterfalls and frogs, before beginning our ascent towards the Tank lakes. This was a tough scramble, some areas questionable in terrain and others in clarity of direction. Cairns seem to contradict each other at points, marking multiple possible routes, and can be elusive unless looking quite closely. Snowfields were navigated best through the observation of others' tracks, laid earlier in the morning.
Altogether very pleasant, if physically taxing. The views make it all worth it.
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