As we approach the last 100...

[ Sizes: Orig | Med | Small | Thumb ]

As we approach the last 100 feet to the top of Mt. St. Helens my 12 year old son reaches out and holds my hand as the two of us reach our first summit together as friends and relatives cheer him on. June 22, 2002. (Photo by G. Irwin)

Comments

[ Post a Comment ]

Viewing: 1-6 of 6

Jerry L

Climb

Hasn't voted

Neat story. Congrats.

Posted Nov 3, 2002 3:27 am


	crirwin	Re: Climb
	Hasn't voted	Thanks. It's not as dramatic as many of the photos on SP but this is a sentimental favorite of mine. My brother and his friends were about 45 minutes ahead of us. We were talking on walkie talkies when he realized that Jonathan and I were just below the summit and they started cheering us on. It's then that my son turned and held out his hand. We're real pals and I nearly hyperventilated choking back tears. We were within a 1000 feet of the summit last year when he ran out of gas so I was really happy for him. Since then he's been to the top again with the rest of our family. My son and I have been treking and mountaineering for 2 years. I made him take a basic class with me. He has his own crampons and ice ax and knows how to use them. We have great times together. Mountaineering is what you make of it. Luckily mountains and their challenges come in all shapes and sizes. It's a wonderful way to spend quality time with your kids and family. I highly recommend it.
		Posted Nov 3, 2002 9:41 am


	Jerry L	Re: Climb
	Hasn't voted	Yeah. I'm into it with my oldest son. I think that's why I understood and commented on it. Nothing better than climbing with a son. It probably really hit home for me because I sent my son away this year to a private school and it's hard to get used to.
		Posted Nov 3, 2002 4:45 pm


	crirwin	Re: Climb
	Hasn't voted	I'm sure you miss him. I know it will make those next adventures together that much more special!
		Posted Nov 4, 2002 10:35 am


	Dave K	Re: Climb
	Hasn't voted	Thank you for sharing this photo and story with us!
		Posted Nov 4, 2002 10:36 am


	Deleted User	Re: Climb
	Hasn't voted	I'm very glad I stumbled upon this. I'm 19 and I have no thoughts of having a son, but mountaineering and climbing have become my life. Reading this really hit home. I wish that my father would have done things like this with me. He's a busy guy, but he has always found the time for his son. Its a beautiful world where there are fathers like you, and it is a sad world when there are kids as good as your son who can't have those kinds of experiences. A sincere thank you for reminding me of how blessed I am to have the family that I do. They respect my mountaineering and climbing, and I am very happy to see that you do the same for your son.
		Posted Apr 12, 2003 8:21 pm