I admire men who are compelled to go where no man has gone before, men like George Mallory, Sir Edmund Hillary and RICK ALMBERG.

Almberg, a local contractor, is so charmed by the pristine alpine wilderness called The Enchantments, or the highest lakes, he has made the trip eight times.

Accompanying him on a recent outing were LAURA MOORE, a teacher at Oak Harbor Middle School, and local doctors JANE MAYS and BYRON SKUBI. Simply eyeballing the route near Leavenworth is deceiving. The primitive trail climbs 6,500 feet from the trailhead to the summit of Asgard Pass. A portion of the trail climbs 2,200 feet in only one-half mile. No wonder Backpacker magazine calls it “one of America’s hardest but most beautiful hikes.”

“The total loop is about 21 miles,” Almberg said. “Some people will hike it in a day, and I’ve heard of people (marathon runners) doing it in 12 hours.”

On a follow-up trip a week and a half later with local climbers DAVE THOMPSON, LEE ROOF, RICK SCHULTE and ALEX RYAN, Almberg said Ryan broke his leg 800 feet below the summit of Asgard Pass and had to be taken out by helicopter. This back-country adventure is not without its dangers.

Hikers must stay in designated camping areas and avoid walking off the established trail. One must submit an application on a particular date in February; the Forest Service issues advanced application permits by lottery. Limited daily permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis.

“As this area is very fragile and the growing season is short, the Forest Service only allows in approximately 40 people a day,” Almberg pointed out.

The pristine alpine wilderness is ever-changing, from late snow and glimpses of sapphire blue tarns (small lakes) in spring to October’s golden glow of larch trees preparing for winter. August and September are prime times to go, but be warned that the mosquitoes are voracious in July.

Almberg has made a few of his eight trips to the Enchantments in winter. “It’s challenging,” he said, “but it’s worth it!

I cannot close this story without mentioning the shy mountain goats that hang around campsites. Campers are asked not to urinate on plants or in the special toilet vaults to prevent them from over-filling. Instead, the Forest Service encourages people to urinate on large granite boulders. This way, goats do not eat the plants and will lick the rocks to satisfy their craving for salt. In nature, it’s all about balance.

Tea and tears …

“I stopped for a cup of tea and was facing the street,” wrote SHIRLEY BENNETT of Coupeville in a recent email from London. “A policeman walked by cradling a machine gun in his arm. This was across from Trafalgar Square and St. Martin in the Fields. It made me feel like crying.”

She later heard a report on BBC 1 that the London police force of 700 had been increased to 4,000.

“The tube stations have high police presence,” she continued, noting, “In the center of the city, there are snipers reportedly stationed to shoot to kill if bombers are sighted.

“You’d expect people to be edgy or curt, but rather they are warm, grateful that tourists are coming to stand beside them and enjoy the wonders of London.”

Now you ‘See’ them …

But soon you won’t. DayBreak Adult Day Service and Respite Care must wrap up its See’s candy fundraiser at the Oak Harbor Senior Center by Sept. 1.

CASEY KENDALL reports there are two cases of See’s peanut brittle and nutty chew bars left; each bar costs $1 or $1.50.

At last week’s fundraiser, DayBreak received 25 percent of all orders of Body Shop products. Future fundraisers include a rummage sale on Sept. 17 and spaghetti feed planned in October.

JAMI DUCHESNE can tell you all about the wonderful work of DayBreak. Call her at 279-4591 or stop by the facility, located by the Senior Center, next door to Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Please volunteer …

The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society is opening a new Thrift Store soon in building 13, site of the former Housing Office. They urgently need volunteers to work Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If they can get three or four groups of three to four ladies, they might be able to open on Thursdays and Fridays as well.

The Society pays for your baby-sitting, mileage, buys you lunch and gives you a discount on store clothing. Just call 257-2728 say, “I want to volunteer!”

Please be on guard and don’t burn outdoors. Those aggressive wildfires in Eastern Washington are a warning for all of us. See you on Aug. 24. Call me at 675-6611 or stop by Whidbey News-Times.