| This was the single-most challenging, exciting, and rewarding mountaineering trip I have had until now. I would have to guess that the Glacier Trail is a grind for most hikers. This is definitely the second-most difficult State Highpoint to summit, without question. I have a lot of respect for my climbing partner, who made the difficult decision to quit his ascent when within 800'-900' elevation from the summit and already beyond the bergschrund, because he had a nagging injury. It takes a strong person to turn around after going through so much and getting so close. I wanted to turn around and end my summmit attempt to help him down the mountain, but because I was already past the "most technical" portion of the climb he pressed me to continue to the summit and then I caught up to him during the descent. The successful summit, my 39th State Highpoint achieved, felt empty without my partner with me, but then I was glad to have spent the remainder of the trip trying to give him first-aid and improvisational assistance. He couldn't walk out the 21 miles from our high camp, but fortunately we found an outfitter who took him out the final 16 miles via horseback (while I hiked it solo). This trip will be in my thoughts forever. |
Wind River Range
