Where have all the bugs gone - I miss them...

My wife and I came upon a huge bug hatch on the summit of Lassen Peak in June. It was the most concentrated bug to air ratio I have ever seen! (The picture doesn't do it justice). They only swarmed the summit rocks and once we got onto snow they wern't an issue. It was interesting to start to ski under a huge, humming summit bug cap!

I drove down to S California a couple of years ago, passing through the wild life refuges near Klamath on the way. Approaching one lake, there looked to be smoke rising in plumes along the sides of the road. Not smoke! My windshield was coated with a big, thick green slime. Had to stop to clean it.

I guess I'll find out if there are any bugs soon, I'm going to use Blackfly Pass to approach Ruth and Icy.

Pleased to report the bug situation is more normal at Black Fly Pass. But even there, with a reasonably early start, there is nothing to fear.

I was the first person to ascend the SE peak of Icy in over a year-none since May 2005.