Mountain Climber..............RM

I stood at the base of the enormous wonder My goal was to conquer this unforgivable journey The side I chose had never been climbed but that was the luring part. Off I started, packed with sixty-five pounds of equipment. Nothing was going to be my delay. A perfect morning, yet an ominous cloud entered my thoughts.

I suppose fear was the ingredient of choice in my endeavor so I began. Ten thousand feet in altitude seemed probable, at least I embraced the challenge unaware what might lay ahead. Half way up, I needed to use my hammer to pierce the hardened face of this monster. Chain, hooks and rope were my safty net. My pace slowed the higher I got. the air seemed thinner and breathing became labored.

My legs wanted to gravitate downward as each movement upward seemed like pressing six-hundred pound weights. The wind picked up and the temperature dropped dramatically. The ridges and crevices tossed echos of the whirling winds against my body.My fingers and toes were becoming numb.

Three-fourths of the way up. I have to make it I thought. Now, my fingers stilted and dead, I could barely hold my hammer to strike an anchor. The footing became impossible. I clutched the jagged rock and pressed my chest aginst the cold walls that held me prisoner. I must continue. I cannot give up.

I mustered all the strength in my right forearm. I had to plunge this spike in this barren face. I felt the icy wind pierce my eyes as I drew back. My fingers no longer gripped with feeling,I slightly leaned backwards to leverage the blow of my hammer and as I did, it plunged into silence.

The loss of this one tool rendered me naked against all odds. My fear overtook my greying mind and I knew that death could be my visitor. I clung to the rock so hard , I did not notice the thin layer of shell pelling away from the mountain and falling forever downward.

Suddenly, my fear was interrupted by a voice. " How dare you to think you can soar here. Why, you do not have wings Like me. Your spirit does not fly beyond your chest and the wind is not your friend that takes you in gentle glide."

Startled, I searched for the voice through squinted tearing eyes. I noticed a red tailed hawk peering at me with his sunken black eyes.This cannot be so I thought. I am thinking this into existance.

" You are a pathetic man with no hope." the hawk sneered. You will fall like your hammer and die. You are weak and numb and soon the gusts that redden your face will cast you helplessly away." The hawk laughed aloud, spread his wings and glided out of sight.

I leaned my head back slightly and estimated four-hundred yards of climbing to safety. I had two choices- live or die trying.

Somewhere above clouds and sun, a fog embraced man and mountain. The icy winds danced along the ridges and the song of hope faded between canyon walls.

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