August 23, 2005 - Reunions
King rolled into the Lover’s Leap campground at around 11 pm last night as I was unpacking and getting reoriented. I had a few little speed bumps earlier like losing my cell phone. I was quite fond of it, even though it did too many things for me to figure out. My guess is that it somehow got unclipped from my belt loop as I was setting up to take some photos.
It has been a long time since I have seen King. I was so very honored when he asked me to be his Best Man at his wedding. I was even more honored when he took a few days out of his, no doubt, frantic schedule before the big day to come out and climb with me up here in Tahoe. It was just like old times…same Lover’s Leap, same beautiful Northern California weather, same King.
In the morning I heard a familiar voice call out to King. I walked around some brush to see Anna. She and Zack had decided to grab a few days of climbing up here before heading off to another area. I hadn’t expected to meet up with Anna on this trip. I thought that she was in Yosemite and I was disappointed that I wouldn’t have time to swing around the Valley to see her. It was such a warm hug when we greeted each other…my heart was truly lifted. King, Anna, and I all started to climb at about the same time. We met at Pacific Edge, a very unique climbing gym, back in 1993 when it opened in Santa Cruz. Climbing very quickly became a central focus in each of our lives. For me, the friendships I shared with Anna and King gained an importance that transcended the climbing.
The climbing today was spectacular. The cliffs were empty except for one other climbing party and the Peregrine Falcons nesting nearby. We climbed some classic routes, one of which holds some amazing memories. I’ve climbed Bear’s Reach many times and each ascent has been a pleasure, largely because of the people with whom I climbed it.
Dinner under the sea of stars and chatting with friends filled my belly and my soul. Now, it’s time to rest the fingers and toes.
It has been a long time since I have seen King. I was so very honored when he asked me to be his Best Man at his wedding. I was even more honored when he took a few days out of his, no doubt, frantic schedule before the big day to come out and climb with me up here in Tahoe. It was just like old times…same Lover’s Leap, same beautiful Northern California weather, same King.
In the morning I heard a familiar voice call out to King. I walked around some brush to see Anna. She and Zack had decided to grab a few days of climbing up here before heading off to another area. I hadn’t expected to meet up with Anna on this trip. I thought that she was in Yosemite and I was disappointed that I wouldn’t have time to swing around the Valley to see her. It was such a warm hug when we greeted each other…my heart was truly lifted. King, Anna, and I all started to climb at about the same time. We met at Pacific Edge, a very unique climbing gym, back in 1993 when it opened in Santa Cruz. Climbing very quickly became a central focus in each of our lives. For me, the friendships I shared with Anna and King gained an importance that transcended the climbing.
The climbing today was spectacular. The cliffs were empty except for one other climbing party and the Peregrine Falcons nesting nearby. We climbed some classic routes, one of which holds some amazing memories. I’ve climbed Bear’s Reach many times and each ascent has been a pleasure, largely because of the people with whom I climbed it.
Dinner under the sea of stars and chatting with friends filled my belly and my soul. Now, it’s time to rest the fingers and toes.
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