Note: These posts guest star Nathaniel C. Pierson of The Pierson and Friends story created by Jes2G of Tumblr. Check out her incredible work here: storiesbyjes2g
We make our way to the next climb – Croft Icefall. The weather is pleasant, and the climbing conditions are in our favor. Mo, Stef, and Nate, don’t hesitate to begin. I stand back, checking my cell phone in vain for a signal, so I can update Me-Me on how things are going. I should have known there wouldn’t be one this high up in the mountains.
I put my phone away and watch the guys make their ascent. My heart stops momentarily when Mo misses a step and hangs on by his fingertips. I breathe again once he finds his footing and continues his climb. Nate is the first up, but that’s not shocking. The kid is on fire.
As before, I’m the last up, but I make it without issues. I join the other guys and pull out our chairs and a cooler in case they want to sit or grab a snack. I’m the only one who sits down, but then again – I’m the only one weighed down with a heavy pack.
Nate is still fired up. He stretches out on the ground and begins doing sit-ups. I envy his youth and energy. There was a time when I would have been doing the same thing.
Kai: That climb wasn’t enough for you, kid? You have enough stamina for sit-ups.
Nathaniel: Nah, that was just a warm-up. It’s time for the real deal.
Warm-up? His words ring through my head as my mind briefly focuses on the slight ache in my knees. Aging is a b**ch.
Since no one else needs to rest, I put everything away and lead them to the trail map marker.
Kai: Okay, the next one is the big one. Are we ready?
Maurice: Let’s do it.
Stefan: I’m ready.
Nathaniel: Ready? *sucks teeth* Next question
We hike to the biggest rock, the mother of all climbs. I think we should take our time and warm up by the bonfire for a bit, so I light it. But I quickly see that I’m outvoted. The other guys are too excited to stop, and I can’t blame them. This climb is what we came for. This is what we trained and planned for. This is it, so I turn and follow them, waiting for my chance to join them once we all reach the top.
Nate and Mo have made it, with Stef right behind them. I’d love to stop and reflect on how proud I am of my guys, but stopping and interrupting my momentum could mean falling, getting hurt, or death. So I focus on myself and the big rock daring me to make a mistake. Time slows…this is the final showdown. Only one of us can win this battle, but will it be me or this big hunk of granite, limestone, and marble? My heart races and fills with adrenaline as I get higher and higher.
Before I know it, I’ve reached the top!
Nate hurries over to celebrate.
Nathaniel: *pumped* That’s what I’m talking about! We did that shit!
And we did. We’re a hike away from reaching the peak.
As we continue, I make a mistake that I fear could cost us. I try catching a Forest Spirit, hoping to take it home to the boys.
I fail, which feels like a bad omen. The last thing I need is for one of us to twist an ankle or slip and fall after we’ve come this far. But I still hope for the best as we continue up the trail.
Nate is leading the way but suddenly stops and turns to face us before we finish our hike.
Kai: Everything okay?
Nathaniel: Yeah. I just want to pause and thank you guys for including me on this climb. You dudes are real ones, and I’m glad to be doing this with you.
I feel myself getting emotional as if Nate were one of my sons.
Kai: We’re glad you could join us, and we’re honored to have you here.
Mo and Stef express their agreement.
Nathaniel: Now that’s out the way – LET’S FINISH THIS!
His final word, this, echoes around us.
We complete our trek to the top in silence. We admire the beauty and shield ourselves from the chilly wind that whips around us. Then, out of habit, I pull out my cell. I’d give anything to share this achievement with Me-Me and the boys. I want them to know I’m safe, but there’s no signal again. I won’t be able to tell them anything until we descend.
At the peak, we continue to admire the beauty, stop to take selfies, and then unpack the camping gear and set it all up. Even Nate seems to finally be tired when we all flop down in our camping chairs around a campfire. I grab a hotdog from the cooler and begin roasting it.
Nathaniel: *reflecting* That was something else!
Kai: Is it what you expected?
Nathaniel: Bro, that was better than expected.
I agree with him one hundred percent.
Stefan: And best of all – we did not die.
Kai: *chuckles* No, we didn’t. We’re the guys who lived to tell the tale.
Nathaniel: I wish our phones worked. I want to tell Tori all about it.
Kai: Tori? Is that your girlfriend?
Nathaniel: Yeah. My very special friend.
Kai: Cool
Nathaniel: What about y’all? Is anybody special waiting at home for you?
Stef speaks up immediately.
Stefan: I am married. My wife and Kai’s wife are sisters.
Kai: I also have three boys at home. My oldest is not much younger than you.
Nathaniel: Cool. Do any of them climb?
Kai: Not yet, but we’ll see.
Nathaniel: *To Mo* What about you?
Maurice: I have a wife and two girls. Kai’s wife and my wife were roommates in college.
Nathaniel: Huh, I feel like I crashed a family reunion.
Kai: Nothing like that. You’re a welcomed addition.
Nathaniel: Thanks, man!
We chat, talking about our families. As Nate speaks about his siblings, I realize why his last name sounded so familiar. He’s the brother of Melany Pierson**, who recently married the star of one of my favorite action movies. Their recent wedding was the event of the year on blogs, in magazines, and on social media.
Soon it’s late, and yawns begin to interrupt our chatter. It’s time we get some rest for our descent tomorrow. So I get up, fill a bucket with the melted ice from the cooler and put out the fire. Then we all claim a tent to share. Before long, our snores are the only sounds heard.
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
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**From Piersons and Friends, available on Tumblr
Bonus hiking selfies:
