As I was hiking Old Rag last week I started daydreaming about the Camp 4 bathroom stalls. They are covered with graffiti. One piece of graffiti was a “record book”. A trail to the top of Yosemite point leaves from the Camp 4 parking lot. A person carved into the thick plastic resin stall, “Top of yosemite point 1:14, beat that”. Others carved their times beneath it. Since carving on bathroom stalls isn't my style, I’ll write it here; Old rag marathon 13hrs 10 minutes, beat that, I’m sure you can. You can do old rag as a 9 mile loop. I don't know when I got the idea, but I finally did it last week, 3 laps on Old Rag’s 9 mile loop to make a 27 mile hike. Another “hall pass” (thanks family) landed me in the back of our van sleeping in the parking lot to get an early start for the hike. Sidenote for parents of children with climbing dreams, keep them out of a van for as long as possible if you want them to have a “normal” life, we just got a van, but I bet if we had it earlier we may be in it full time like others “livin the dream”. Anyway, while completing my second lap a guy around my age hiking with I assume his parents and family asked me if I was hiking this by myself. I answered yes and he told me “congratulations”. I said thanks, and of course didn't mention that I was in fact hiking it for the second of three times that day. I save that kind of arrogant spray for blog posts. I thought it was weird that he would congratulate me on that. On lap three I was going through the “rock scramble” portion of the hike well after dark, by headlamp, with the cold night wind blowing over the exposed granite ridge, having not seen another person in hours. I joked to myself, Congratulations, NOW you are doing this by yourself! I got back to the car 13hrs 10 min after starting. As soon as I fired up the engine and turned out of the gravel parking lot my headlights landed on a big brown bear in the road. The bear started running down the road and I followed it at a distance. I guess I wasn't as alone as I thought.
Thanks everyone for your support and comments. The Earth Treks Holiday party is this weekend and the winner of the Avi Scholarship will be announced. Stay tuned.
5 Comments
Valerie Bateman
12/2/2016 09:20:34 am
I am always surprised and enlightened by how little I know about my children but also by how much I know about them. Travis's adventure at Old Ragg, his 3 times loop and bear sighting was not shared with us when we all went on a family hike around the Loch Raven Reservoir last Sunday. The fact that Travis does not brag about himself or carve on bathroom stalls is something I did know about him. I have often heard others tell Travis about their adventures, and even if it is somewhere Travis has been or even if he has been somewhere grander, he always listens intently and comments and congratulates this person on their accomplishments without having to one up them. I also see Travis being a good steward of this earth, whether it is how he packs in and packs out items on a hike, climb or camping trip - firmly embracing the leave no trace philosophy, or seeing him walk his school grounds during his supervision of his school's recess, a bucket in hand, grabbing any trash that may have been dropped or blown onto the grounds, starting a recycling program at his school and raising children that I see tuck trash into their pants pocket rather than drop it to the ground if a trash can is not at hand. I really think Travis will honor Avi's memory if he is awarded his scholarship and I truly hope there is a victory dance for him at the Earth Treks Christmas party. No matter what, in my adapted words of the Lee Ann Womak song - I Hope You Dance - "He will never loose his sense of wonder, He will get to eat his fill but always keep his hunger, he will never take one single breathe for granted - and if he has the choice to sit it out or dance" - I KNOW he will dance!!!!!!
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Russell Bateman
12/2/2016 10:23:19 am
I remember taking Travis to work at Earth Treks Columbia on a Saturday morning not long after he began working there. He was 15 and not driving yet. We arrived early and Chris Warner was the only one in the gym. Chris opened the door for us and said, "Come on back and check out the route I just laid out" Of course we went back and Chris was anxious for Travis to try the route. Chris had installed the holds, but had not marked the route yet. Travis took 30 seconds to evaluate the holds and proceeded up the route. Almost right away Chris said to me, "I just love working with Travis. He is taking a completely different route than I had planned" Chris was the perfect mentor for Travis. He emphasized climbing with the proper equipment and training, but gave his students the chance to create their own path. Travis continues to find his own unique path and gives his students the freedom to do the same. Thank you Chris and Travis for making a positive difference in so many lives!
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Jack Lattimore
12/6/2016 06:53:47 am
Travis - Congratulations on winning the scholarship. Well deserved and a fitting way to honor your friend, Avi, and for him to honor you. I recall a camping trip to Old Rag many years ago. It was a sunny spring weekend. No leaves on the trees yet and we all got sunburned. It was leisurely hiking but my friend's Afghan Hound did get knocked off its feet while crossing a watersplash. We camped near the summit. A great weekend!
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sean beavan
12/6/2016 10:01:01 am
Congratulations on winning the Avi scholarship! We are all proud of you for doing what you love.
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kay Beavan
12/6/2016 11:08:26 am
Ah Ha! The news we wanted to hear! Went to bed last night bummed figuring if you'd been chosen you'd want to shout it to the housetops! Guess you're not that kind of guy. You CLIMB! Go to it and communicate with your cheering squad from time to time. Please,
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