[sailchef]

Vash

A funny story I would like to share.

A while ago, when I was 18, a buddy of mine and I packed our gear and set out to hike to the top of Mt. Marcy, the tallest peak in NY State. It’s probably no more than 4000ft. no where near the altitude you are heading to. I remember we took canned food with us, camp stove,sleeping bags, canteens, ax, etc. etc. It was a “hey, lets go camping” decision made in haste.

We drove to NY from Vermont and started out in a parking area known as The Garden. From there it took us a day and a half to hike in and get to the top. We were exhausted but elated that we had made it. We were the only ones out there in the middle of all God’s beauty. It was breathtaking.

We were sitting on the summit, making a plan for our trip back when another person came bouncing up over the ledge. He was considerably older, and if I remember correctly, a bit overweight, and just enjoying life.

We made our introductions and felt quite accomplished that it took us only two days to get there. Both my buddy and I were on the basketball team at school and we stood there very tall and proud.

In a split second our ego’s were shattered as this guy tells us that it was just that morning he had left the same parking area, got to where we were standing, and, he was planning on being back late that afternoon as he had something else to do later in the day! He was carrying nothing but a walking stick.

We were crushed. I think it’s the last time I ever went camping.

Enjoy the trip. Be safe.