This is a follow-up to the post about my friend's "friend."
Turns out that her "friend" who fell ill was her daughter, Ashley.
What a mom!
Monday, September 12, 2005
Thursday, September 08, 2005
SELFLESS ACT
I called my friend, Kandace, and left a message on her voicemail to see how she did on Mt. Whitney.
She returned my call about 30 minutes later. She did not reach the summit. She had to turn around just short of Trail Camp which is about 6 miles (12,000 feet elevation) into the hike to the summit over narrow trails and switchbacks.
One of her hiking friends was vomiting severely and was unable to proceed. Nerves? Altitude? Something she ate? Answers unknown. Situation critical. Her friend needed to get off that trail immediately. Kandy thought it would be best to stay with her friend and return to Whitney Portal. Both made it back safely through the 6 mile ordeal to the trailhead and returned to Lone Pine. I can only imagine that it was probably the longest 12 miles both had to endure.
Kandy, I know you read my blog. And I want you to know and everyone who reads this blog to know what you did was a class act far above and beyond as a friend comforting a friend in a time of dire need. You adhered to the golden rule in hiking by never leaving anyone alone on a trail. Your friend was probably the luckiest person in the world today to have a hiking friend like you by her side on the trail every step of the way. I know how much this hike meant to you and you trained hard since March when you found out you got your Whitney hiking permit. But your heart should feel good. You did the right thing.
I hope to be able to secure a permit through next year's Whitney lottery in February. If I do, there will be a spot on my team for you with your name on it, Kandy. You earned it!
Selfless acts has its rewards in my book.
She returned my call about 30 minutes later. She did not reach the summit. She had to turn around just short of Trail Camp which is about 6 miles (12,000 feet elevation) into the hike to the summit over narrow trails and switchbacks.
One of her hiking friends was vomiting severely and was unable to proceed. Nerves? Altitude? Something she ate? Answers unknown. Situation critical. Her friend needed to get off that trail immediately. Kandy thought it would be best to stay with her friend and return to Whitney Portal. Both made it back safely through the 6 mile ordeal to the trailhead and returned to Lone Pine. I can only imagine that it was probably the longest 12 miles both had to endure.
Kandy, I know you read my blog. And I want you to know and everyone who reads this blog to know what you did was a class act far above and beyond as a friend comforting a friend in a time of dire need. You adhered to the golden rule in hiking by never leaving anyone alone on a trail. Your friend was probably the luckiest person in the world today to have a hiking friend like you by her side on the trail every step of the way. I know how much this hike meant to you and you trained hard since March when you found out you got your Whitney hiking permit. But your heart should feel good. You did the right thing.
I hope to be able to secure a permit through next year's Whitney lottery in February. If I do, there will be a spot on my team for you with your name on it, Kandy. You earned it!
Selfless acts has its rewards in my book.
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