July 28, 2010
Friday morning, about 10:30 AM. I check my gear one final time and load it into the car. I turn on the GPS system, directed it to Whittaker’s Bunkhouse in Ashford and set off.
Orientation at the meeting house started at 3:00. We got acquainted with our fellow team members, checked through our gear to make sure we had all that we’d need, and the guide went over the game plan for the next few days.
I checked into my room, then wandered around trying to find a phone signal. It took a while, but I finally got one near the left rear bumper of my car. I called home to let Sylvia know how things were going.
Saturday morning… the team met up outside the meeting house. We loaded into a shuttle and made the 45 minute drive up to Paradise. We spent the day up on the mountain training for the climb; learned all about ice arrest, how to rope up and travel roped, how to use crampons, and a lot more. It was a great day of training and a great workout.
Saturday evening, sitting near the back bumper of my car, carefully holding my cell phone in just the right position to keep a signal… There was a problem at home, a family crisis. After doing what I could long distance (pretty much nothing), I hung up and hoped for the best. A few hours later, one of the hotel staff knocked on my door with a message to call home (no phones in the rooms). I went looking for a signal. When I finally connected, things were worse…
Orientation at the meeting house started at 3:00. We got acquainted with our fellow team members, checked through our gear to make sure we had all that we’d need, and the guide went over the game plan for the next few days.
I checked into my room, then wandered around trying to find a phone signal. It took a while, but I finally got one near the left rear bumper of my car. I called home to let Sylvia know how things were going.
Saturday morning… the team met up outside the meeting house. We loaded into a shuttle and made the 45 minute drive up to Paradise. We spent the day up on the mountain training for the climb; learned all about ice arrest, how to rope up and travel roped, how to use crampons, and a lot more. It was a great day of training and a great workout.
Saturday evening, sitting near the back bumper of my car, carefully holding my cell phone in just the right position to keep a signal… There was a problem at home, a family crisis. After doing what I could long distance (pretty much nothing), I hung up and hoped for the best. A few hours later, one of the hotel staff knocked on my door with a message to call home (no phones in the rooms). I went looking for a signal. When I finally connected, things were worse…
Sunday morning before I met with the rest of the team to start the climb, I called home again. Looked like I was going home… no mountain today. I stood outside the gear rental shop until it opened and turned in those items that I had chosen to rent rather than buy. I left word for my guide, got into my car, and started home.
It was devastating. I was crushed. After two years of planning, after seven months of training, I was headed home. This climb was for my son, a young soldier injured so horribly in the war, and I was going home without completing the mission. And I was ready… so damned ready…
Well I’m not finished. As soon as this all gets sorted out, I’m going back to the mountain.
It was devastating. I was crushed. After two years of planning, after seven months of training, I was headed home. This climb was for my son, a young soldier injured so horribly in the war, and I was going home without completing the mission. And I was ready… so damned ready…
Well I’m not finished. As soon as this all gets sorted out, I’m going back to the mountain.
1 comment:
david-
i've been reading your entries and training alonside you. my rainier climb is the first week of september. i am devastated for you that your trip was interrupted, but inspired by your continued desire to keep at it. good luck. i do hope things are okay.
-christa
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