Trek day 1: Karakol to Alakjol lake

A taxi picked us up for an early morning trip to the convenience store for food on the trek. We were able to pick up everything we needed, including Russian instant oats and coffee. 

We drove up to the gated entrance to the park, where a soldier asked us where we were from. He responded with a hearty, "Amerikanskis! Good luck!" 

The taxi dropped us off under brooding skies and we walked on, with an enormous group of Poles right behind us. As we entered the high, flat valley, the clouds opened up. 

We are lunch under dripping pine trees before heading east across a log bridge with wire handrail, up a smaller tributary valley. Following the warren of trails through the trees, we soon came upon a field of horses. 

We rested at a small wooden cabin, filtered water, and dried our clothes from the rain storm before heading on. Turns out that 15 year old Gore-Tex is about as good as a sponge. 

Further up, we enter a gorge and the trail steepens significantly on our final push for the lake in mid-afternoon. 

Finally we reach Alakjol lake and pick the best unoccupied tent spot from the meager selection at the west end of the lake. The scenery is stunning. 

We make dinner and head to bed early. The plan the next day is to wake before sunrise and get a good lead on the trail and camp spots for the next day. 

The wind whips at our two person tent.