Castle Rock on Christmas Eve

So remember hike #2 from months ago when all I could see of Castle Rock was this . . . .

well today I went out and this is what I saw . . .

Makes the hike a little easier when you can see where you are going. Dave and I left around 8:45pm Christmas Eve to make a trip of it and celebrate the day. The beginning was slushy, our boots falling through ice into melted rivers and streams. As we began to climb up hill, the snow thickened until it no longer crunched but slid beneath our boots as it froze to ice. This part was easier going but not without the occasional slip or two (no falling though).

Apple One ~ One Mile in ~ Pointing to first glimpse of Castle Rock

The weather was perfect. Bright sun, no wind and no chill in the air. Even before we crested the rise we could see our destination and it helped us move as the air was rung from our lungs by lack of exercise.

Caught Dave off guard

When we passed Apple one and then moved over the rise, Castle Rock rose up in front of us . . .

The closer we got the bigger it became . . . .

Apple 2

Until it towered over us and we had to look directly up to see the top. The rose colored stone was a jagged gash of color, so different than the blinding white snow that it was starkly beautiful.

Finding the trail up took a bit of searching, neither of us having been before, but soon we found the well traveled path along the base. What started out as a steep goat path soon turned into a full blown rock climb, complete with anchored hand ropes and moments of suspended balance. Not to worry I had had practice before remember ~ 2 climbing lessons and a free climb up Ob Hill. (pictures of me are compliments of Dave)

Looking down after the first ropes part ~ there were many to come

Dave took the lead, finding the path as we went, testing the ground and breaking lose all the rocks so all I ever landed on was solid, hard ground. As we rock climbed, I couldn't believe we were doing this, scaling a mountain with no real climbing experience and 100's of falling feet below. We did have a radio, but that was little comfort considering you could fall on it as you plummeted down . . . I had to stay focused, but the thrill was exhilarating and I enjoyed every shaky hand hold and wobbly boot step.

Dave

Here I come

View as we climbed

Once we reached the top, the view was awe inspiring and we took a moment to just look around and marvel.

That faint line is the trail, the little dot Apple #2

After an energy boosting snack, we explored the top of our victory and found many stomach turning drops off the side.

Surface on top of Castle Rock

Drop off one side

Looking over one edge I felt my legs wobble and my heart skip, but I kept looking, pushing past the sensation and reasoning that when I went bungy jumping the drop would be even farther down. Here's a view from the top with a little commentary you might want to check out.

Part 1

Part 2

While I was making that little movie, Dave was snapping these photos of me in action.

My favorite shots were these he took of me at the edge. I can't help but smile at how awesome the backdrop is and how I look so calm and relaxed even as I stand on the edge of a death plummet.

So what do you do on Christmas Eve in Antarctica? Do you go to the town Christmas party? Get your photo with Santa? Drink eggnog? No, you scale a mountain and stand on the top of the world getting a hint of why God "saw that it was good" after he finished his creation. Everything is all a matter of perspective, and mountain climbing really squashes all the small stuff, and narrows it down to breath, focus, step and hold on. Don't die, don't panic and don't forget to look at the view.

With that in mind we left the top but before we went I made this little message. Before you view it, know that as we walked home, Christmas Day arrived and it was a blending of days as special as the memories of holiday spent together. I miss you all, love you and wish you God's Blessings in every special way. . . .