It was at this point we all agreed it would be unsafe to continue using the cart. He-Man Beowulf got out of the cart and began to walk / crawl the rest of the way to the summit. He refused help and completed the ordeal on his own.
Beowulf finally made it to the summit. He had conquered his Grendel.
Beowulf celebrated our victory.
Victor celebrated our victory.
Photos were shot of the group (Thanks Boy Scout Troup from Tracy!)
Everybody was elated yet we still had the long and arduous journey back to the trail head. The trip back was exhausting. By the time we had reached the top of that first hill 2.5 miles from the TH we were beat. Just then a stranger appeared. In a thick Germanic accent he asked if we needed help. “Oh, of course, please help”. Andreas was from Frankfurt, Germany. More importantly he was fresh! He really helped us out.
We arrived at the trail head just before dark. We had triumphed!
Thanks go out to all of the hikers who had the patients to work their way around us on the trail. We also need to thank Ruth Middlecamp, Commercial Tours Permit Manager, Yosemite National Park. She allowed us to use a wheeled vehicle on the trail in the park without a special use permit.
Of course all of the participants who aided during the hike get thanked. Most importantly is Nick Cunningham of Noble Heights. He is the guy in the blue T-shirt.
Nick is 6’ 6” of solid muscle. I believe most of the hikers would agree we probably would not have made it without his help.
Most thanks, however, go out to our hero, Beowulf. He shed a lot of blood and sweat on this trip. His Navy Seal toughness and ability to “Carpe Diem” is truly an inspiration to everyone.
Thanks for reading my TR.
-Russ
"...Or have you only comfort, and the lust for comfort, that stealthy thing that enters the house a guest, and then becomes a host and then a master?"
Kahil Gibran.
