Lynx Peak, Alaska

We traveled to the Talkeetna Mountains to try our luck with Lynx Peak, which was rumored to have an attainable Class 3 ridge scramble to its summit. The approach trail was verdant and lush as we climbed into and out of a cloud, reaching Reed Lake at the head of a stunning alpine basin. We hopped across boulders to reach Bomber Pass, where we could look across at Bomber Glacier and the glittering spec of it's namesake 1950s plane wreck. We began climbing the ridge but soon reached a steep section where a sizable hand-hold broke off, falling out from under my partner. This led us to look for an alternate route from the Bomber Glacier, but the steep snow also failed to take us to stable ground. Within 400 feet of the summit, we called it a day and made our way out. This attempted climb was equal parts inspiring and humbling, which seems to be the theme for Alaska.