Summit Elevation (m): 2972,
Trip Date: Sunday, July 13 2003
Round Trip Time (hrs): Unknown
Elevation Gain (m): 1250
Total Trip Distance (km): 24
Quick ‘n Dirty Rating: Class 3 – you fall, you sprain or break something
Difficulty Notes: Moderate scrambling with some route finding to keep it moderate.
Technical Rating: SC5; YDS (3rd)
GPS Track: Download
Map: Google Maps
It’s kind of weird. After a scramble when I think back to it, I only have fragments. I think it might be because of the effort expended or maybe the adrenaline prevents a smooth cognitive flow. Whatever it is – what follows resembles a poem but is really the way I remember the Mt. Nestor scramble.
All alone.
Sweat pouring down my face.
Muscles tense.
A noise off to my left.
Heart thudding in my chest.
Another step.
A pause.
Chest heaving.
Sun in my eyes.
Rocks and shrubs in front of me.
A faint trail winding up the mountain.
Small flowers glistening with dew.
Yellow, white, purple.
Dense brush.
No noise.
All alone.
Another step.
A pause.
Breathing hard – chest heaving.
Sun hot and unrelenting.
Am I still alone?
Shouting.
Nothing to see here Mr. Bear!
Branches clutching at me.
Going up, always up.
Another step.
A pause.
I’m free!
Open slopes above me.
A small valley to my left.
Go straight.
Climb a steep gully.
Stop.
Breathing heavy.
In.
Out.
Legs burning.
Beads of sweat.
Warm water in my throat.
A green valley beneath me.
Freedom.
Alone.
Thoughts.
A bird calling me.
Loose rocks under my feet.
Cool wind in my face.
Mountain looming.
Climbing.
Empty space dropping away.
Loose rock.
Poles steady.
Legs burning.
Alone and free.
Steep and loose.
Snow – cold and bright.
The peak?
False summit.
More loose rock.
Steep.
Cliffs on every side.
Soaring birds riding the wind.
The sun unrelenting.
Thin air.
Chest heaving.
Sweat pouring.
Climbing up.
The summit!
Freedom.
Born to be alive.
Alive.
Sitting.
Thinking.
Creation.
A sea of peaks.
Small.
Alone.
Free.
Heading down.
Mouth dry.
Water bottle getting light.
Sliding on loose rock.
Legs sore.
Faint path.
Sweat pouring down my face.
A small valley.
Carpet of flowers.
Beauty.
Silence.
Am I alone?
Shouting.
Stop.
Some warm water.
Mouth dry.
Parched.
Sun burning hot.
Shivering.
Running.
Poles jamming rock.
Shoulders jarring.
Feet sore.
Legs burning.
Alive.
Back in the forest.
Listening.
Am I alone?
Running.
Done.
Regret.
Freedom lost.
Memories.
Am I alone?
No.
