A few years ago when I was sitting on the top of Static Peak looking over to Buck Mountain, I thought to myself I want to climb that mountain someday. It is one of the not so popular climbs in the area, not because it is not a great climb but because the Teton's are so close they draw many of the would be climbers away.
I talked Dad and Mason into climbing it with me for my birthday this year. What a great climb, not too difficult or too exposed but there are great views of the Teton's and Rim Rock Lake. We started at the Death Canyon trail head and hiked to just before the third bridge, from there you head out to Stewarts draw. follow the trail up to Timber line lake and then just scramble up the face of Buck. About 12 miles round trip with about 5200' of elevation gain.
The most memorable part of the climb as when we were coming back down. Mason was all energized up from making it to the summit. He got a little bit ahead of the rest of us, I kept looking around for him but couldn't see where he had gone. I assumed he was just over the rocks ahead of me so I hurried down to catch up to him. When I couldn't see him I had a sick feeling inside like something was wrong. I kept thinking Mason is in trouble somewhere. I ran down and around the base of the face and prayed as I ran, I prayed with my eyes open so I could search while I prayed. I figured Heavenly Father would understand just this once.
Within seconds of my prayer I looked up and saw what appeared to be Mason hanging tightly to the wall over a 120' cliff. I yelled out to him and he yelled back, "Dad, Dad, help me!". I took off running up the hill towards the base of the cliff. I was tired I was getting low on sugar but I somehow kept running and calling out to him. I ate some candies quickly as i ran to try and get my sugars back up. When I reached the base of the cliff my heart sunk. I looked up and he was stuck on the wall he couldn't go up and for sure couldn't come down safely. I thought I can't run back around to the top of the cliff it will take me too long and he may fall. I decided I had to climb the wet steep cliff. I prayed as I hastily ascended with my ice ax, I used it as an extended arm to reach higher for better holds. I couldn't have made it without the ax, and the help from angels around me. It was something that I wouldn't want to climb even just for fun, let alone without ropes. I just kept praying and moving up as quickly as I could. When I reached Mason I couldn't get around him to help him up. So I had him slide as far to the right as he could. I reached as high as I could with my ax and found a notch in the rock. I couldn't see it so I asked Mason if he thought it would hold me. I placed my life in his hands, he said, "Dad it will hold." It held I was able to pull myself up and round him. I dug my ax into the rocky soil above Mason and lowered a piece of webbing down to him, he climbed up to safety and we just sat there for a minute. I think we were both in shock of what had just happened. We shouldn't have been able to do what we just did. We offered a prayer of thanks, praying that we could remember how we felt and how we both felt the help of a higher means. "I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand" kept going through my mind so I shared it with Mason. We had witnesses first hand the power of our Heavenly Father!
Mason and I worked our way down the mountain, we were split up from Dad and Jay Price because they were unaware of what had happened. We saw 3 bears on the way out, and had to make noise and some detours to avoid them. What an experience. I hope Mason and I will always remember the power we felt and rely upon it. This was more than just a climb in the mountains this was a spiritual workout as well.
Comments:
Michelle said…
What a scary experience. I am so glad you are both safe. We are certainly watched over and protected.
Monday, August 16, 2010 9:41:04 PM
Jodi said…
I love you and Mason. THE END.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010 8:00:50 AM