What I truly love about your trip reports are that they make me feel like I was right there, slogging alongside you.
Their flowing words instilling all the physical feelings---getting out of a warm sleeping bag at 4am in 19-degree temps;
getting poked in the eye by those downward sloping willow branches;
picking the needle-like thorns out of legs, arms, hands;
slathering freezing sunscreen over an already chilled neck as the sun slowly mantles the Inyos---
so much so that I can almost imagine the kinds of photos I would take if I were there...
...of those icy traverses
...and those tiresome willows
...and those piercing thorns
...and those high-wire log crossings
...and those post-holes
...and those other post-holes
...and still those other post-holes
but most of all I would try to capture the spirit...
...the enjoyment
...the perseverance
...and the relief
of a magnificent day, spent with a kindred soul who understands why we do what we do...
Thank you, my friend, for living the dream that so many of us aspire to and accomplishing more than most of us will ever be able.
You are a strong and valued presence in our mountaineering community and have earned a level of authority and enthusiasm
that cannot be questioned, doubted nor challenged.
Continue to lead---and know that there are a great many of us who will follow gladly in your tracks...
