I didn't have a chance to worry about Jeff, nor did Jeff have a chance to worry about Jeff - he was moving slowly and talking Mike through it too. Part of it was also that Mike was on day 4 of antibiotics for a sinus infection, which affected his balance somewhat- he felt slightly dizzy from time to time. I believe God sent us to help him and him to us to help Jeff. Funny how that works. It makes me think of my favorite proverb- "He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Proverbs 11:25
Despite his fears, onward we trudged across the Ledges, which about halfway through actually descend quite a bit.
At the top of the Trough is a 10 foot chock stone that leaves you in a conundrum. How do you get up? There are a few ways - you can rely completely on your feet on a slight protrusion from the sheer rock wall to the right or you can go the the left and climb a series of large rock formations, the first being the worst and hardest. Both seem impossible at a cursory glance, and even at several glances, but it's amazing what you'll do when you've climbed 7 1/2 miles and are almost to your goal. Let me say that Jeff, the cautious one of the two of us went up the right side, the crazy way that even I refuse to take. I couldn't believe it! He was like Spiderman! Where was my husband? This new guy was fearless!
I took Mike's backpack (I actually take my backpack off to climb this section too) and helped him up the left side. He was becoming more fearful, wondering how he would get down. I thought that once he got past that and made it to the Narrows, surely he'd be home free.
I was wrong.
He got a few steps out onto the Narrows and was terrified. He told us in broken sentences that he was stopping here and not moving for at least half an hour until he calmed down. I had to yell at Jeff, who was boogeying quickly across the Narrows to tell him. We insisted on helping him down, but he said no, he'd be fine.
Sitting at the top of the Trough
entering the Narrows
the beginning of the Narrows (Jeff is in the black head sock/Green Bay sweatshirt)
looking to the right (and down) from the Narrows
We were very disappointed that Mike was turning around, but at the same time were excited to be getting closer to the top. It was so amazing to see Jeff feeling the same way I was. We were both handling the altitude very well and were full of energy. The Narrows are actually quite short, much shorter than the Ledges and the Trough and require almost no altitude gain.
Soon, we reached the end of the Narrows and turned left and straight up the Homestretch.
end of the Narrows
It is a little intimidating, as there isn't always a good foothold and it is very steep. The rock is sheer with some cracks in it and always has some water running down it for good measure - ha!
Yes, the Homestretch is no joke!
nearing the summit!!
Jeff was moving a bit slowly, as was everyone else. The air is a bit less oxygenated at 14,000 feet, for sure. I was so cold from moving so slowly in the shadows ever since the Keyhole and was elated to be on the Homestretch. Jeff later told me I said I felt like dancing, and I was actually singing as I was climbing. It was unreal how good I felt.
I still can't get over how fearless Jeff was. It is just so out of his character to be so carefree in such a situation, much less to do the climb we did in the first place. My daring dad did it back in 2002 and was so anxious about the trip down, I don't think he enjoyed the summit very much.
I asked Jeff about it later and he said that night before, he read the book I gave him by Mike Donohue about climbing Longs Peak. If you've ever read his book, you know it is the most encouraging, reassuring book you can find, otherwise I'd have never given it to him to read, knowing his anxieties. However, reading it, he began to panic and all his anxieties began to kick in. Instead of letting them get away from him, he prayed for God to take them from him. He prayed for Him to take control and take his anxieties away, that whatever happened may God be glorified. And look how He answered his prayer! What a humble, beautiful prayer and look how God answered it!
on the true Summit
with Mt. Lady Washington in the background- to the left- which he climbed last year
okay, no one was as fearless as this guy!
As Jeff was snacking, I was running around the summit videotaping, taking pictures and just enjoying the experience.
Mt. Meeker in the background
identifying geographic features for a German lady
Chasm Lake and Peacock Pool
We enjoyed the summit fully and reluctantly began heading down. I had hoped to exchange email with Mike since I had taken so many pictures of him along the way, however we were sure that he was long gone and that we had seen the last of him. Or had we?
We had a brief snack and relaxed to get through the Keyhole again, into the sun and out of the exposed areas.
forget the beach, this is MY idea of relaxing :)
Imagine our surprise when hours later we found Mike waiting for us at the bottom of the Boulderfield! We couldn't believe it! We told him so and he replied, "I said I would wait for you." But hours? For complete strangers? What a man of honor! We exchanged email and headed down.
We felt so blessed to have such an amazing day. As Jeff noted, clouds eventually began forming around every other mountain in the area except Longs. That is just unreal, as Longs, being the highest peak around, is a magnet for every cloud and storm. We felt the hand of God the whole day.
If you would like to see a video montage of all our Longs pictures, including video, click HERE
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