Plan B to the rescue.
Context, the first part of creating a Plan B is to let go of Plan A.
Losing the way was unexpected. When Steve and Stacy led us to the summit, it seemed straightforward.
Knew in advance the trickiest part is at 8,900′ to find the great cleft entrance. You cannot see the great cleft until you round a corner and stand at its base. Then, the seven-story vertical crevasse (cleft) is unmistakable.
However, staying calm, reading the rocks, and remembering how manageable my first summit was i still failed to find the way.
So i sat and enjoyed the view from that spot.
Stopping to soak in the view from there never happens when you are on a mission to summit.
Sitting quietly, all alone, end of September. Odds are decent i may be the last person in 2020 to attempt Pollock Mountain’s summit. Same for Piegan.
The entire Park becomes quiet, almost uninhabited by humans.
One-million acres of wild.
Surrounded by several more million acres of wilderness on all four sides.
Knowing the only forward movement would be a descent, i started forward movement back to the Pollock-Piegan saddle.
With extra time as the descent began, i veered left, well above the saddle. Almost behind Pollock’s West face.
And just sat.
Alone.
Quiet.
Breathtakingly invigorating.
This kind of isolation is rare.
Even for me.
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