There was a small group of stunted spruce near the campsite -- the first trees we had seen on the entire trip.
The fall colors were getting brighter each day.
The weather was just about perfect on this late afternoon -- we could spread out all of our gear on the tundra to dry (just in time for it to get totally wet again the next day).
Then we had our first up-close-and-personal encounter with a young grizzley. In my tent in the morning I heard George yell "Cyn, there's a bear behind you!" I actually thought it was a joke -- until I learned that you don't joke about bears in the Brooks Range. That is Cyn standing with a can of bear spray in her hand.
Our bear friend was about as cute as a bear could be. Cyn estimated him (or her) to be a 3-year-old cub just thrown out by his mother to fend for himself. He seemed to want to hang out with us -- sitting down and eventually rolling over.
After shouting at him for awhile (with all due respect, of course) he finally moved off into the willows and went on his way.
Later that day the weather deteriorated seriously. Here we are crossing another aufeis. It was raining and bitterly cold.
In an attempt to get out of the wind Cyn led us into the willows. This was much worse than any ascent or descent. They really are as thick as they look (and the wind and rain didn't make it any easier).
The vegetation was so thick it was easy to lose sight of the person in front of you.
Finally, as some of us began to get hypothermic, we stopped to have lunch (sitting on the bank of this stream) and make camp. The photo doesn't really capture it but the sleet is blowing sideways and was accompanied by hail, snow, and rain (what Cyn called "winter mix"). My hands were so cold I couldn't clip my tent to the poles -- thank god for George (master Eagle Scout and all around great guy). He helped me put up my tent while his son, Spencer, helped Theo. Cyn always laughed when I referred to this day as a "nightmare".
... and guess what? Next morning our erstwhile friend was back!
Luckily, the next day the weather was much improved. This was our campsite in the willows.
The ascent to Carter Pass was much gentler than to Gilbeau.
There were very interesting formations on many of the mountains. Some resembled medieval castles or monasteries.
Close to the summit of Carter Pass
... and here we are, another summit conquered.
The lake at the top of the pass was magnificent. We saw a couple of loons at the far end. 
The trek down from the summit to the lake was reminiscent of photos I have seen from the Canadian arctic.
We had a layover day here so Jeff could take photos.
We would be heading off down the North Slope the next day.
A view of our campsite at Carter Lake
Ivor, Jeff, Theo and I went exploring this creek while George, Spencer and Cyn were climbing some of the peaks around the lake.
... as always the scenery was spectacular.
Ivor at the foot of this wall provides some perspective
There were many fascinating rocks (that were too big to carry away).
Many actually looked like cave paintings.
Looking up the creek bed.
The next day we would be heading for the last phase of our journey -- (mostly) downhill from here.
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