Date Posted: March 24, 2005
Author: Amy Luther
Country: United States
Location: Wyoming
Wake up call. It’s 4am. I haven’t slept much, but in a hut full of people snoring, condensation dripping, rain pouring, and thunder clashing- not many people do. The stove is on and water is boiling. Everyone is working so efficiently as if everything is routine. Not for me. Today is different. Today I meet someone I have admired for a long time: The Grand Teton. She has been towering over me for years. I have hiked around her but never attempted to summit. Stepping out of the hut I am hit by a sharp wind. At the 5am take off, the lower saddle is quite exposed, sitting at 11,600 ft. Under my headlamp the terrain looks very different, glowing slightly, with a light layer of snow and ice. It is breathtaking. Upwards, we maneuver through the rock. Our guide stops as we see the group ahead of us retreating back, away from Wall Street, our intended route. Ice is the culprit. The guides yell across the gully. Another route is decided upon. The groups separate and head off. I watch as headlamps scatter up the gully. We pass another group just at daybreak. Altitude sickness has hit one of them. They were headed down.
Traversing, belaying, feeling the cold rock beneath my gloves. I love this.
Finally a little past the Upper Saddle on the Owen Spaulding route. Standing at 13,000 feet staring at the summit a mere 700 ft away. Then, the decision is made that the route is too icy. This decision, like a rock that dropped in the pit of my belly. Why isn’t she welcoming me? Why have I traveled and waited so long to be denied? Down we go. The light of the morning is welcoming, but the cold shadow of the summit stares back. Icy rocks are more challenging down then up. Concentration and focus are necessary. We reach the final decision spot. Head down to the hut or attempt another route. It’s 10:30am. Late. Late when timing is key to summit. Everyone voices his or her feelings. Fatigue is kicking in. My team has worked hard and they are ready to head down. I am last to speak. They are watching my reaction. I didn’t think it would come to this. Physically I feel great, but unable to summit alone. I agree to continue down with my team. Many thoughts are racing through my head. Trying to be grateful that I am leaving her presence in good shape, I can’t help but feel disappointed and the second-guessing kicks in. One of my teammates pulls me over, and as if reading my mind says ‘She’s not ready for you yet. She is just getting to know you. Come back and she will welcome you.’ What a wise friend I have to treat the mountain with such respect. That is the feeling I headed to the Lower Saddle with. Respect, humility, gratefulness, happiness are the feelings I take down the 7 miles to the trailhead. I also feel pride. Proud of what I have accomplished and what I know will come, with patience. I grab a cold one and talk about the Grand Adventure with my team. I will be back.
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