The last meter is the hardest meter

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Messages 1 - 20 of total 20 in this topic
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Topic Author's Original Post - Aug 6, 2013 - 07:17pm PT
......to quote Greg Crouch.
On a mountain the technical crux might be low down but very often the real crux is those last few meters. You're wasted, you've stretched the umbilical cord uncomfortably tight and a storm is washing in over the summit......it's soooo close but...

That elusiveness is what makes alpinisim so tantalizing and ultimately so rewarding.

NutAgain!

Trad climber
South Pasadena, CA
Aug 6, 2013 - 07:28pm PT
The last meter is only halfway!

And from my limited experience, when there is a memorable adventure,
more than half of the adventure happens after the halfway point.
NutAgain!

Trad climber
South Pasadena, CA
Aug 6, 2013 - 07:38pm PT
I can't help you with that Ron. Sometimes it's good to not have as much experience as others around here.
climbski2

Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
Aug 6, 2013 - 08:01pm PT
Have you summited ole El C? I'll bet few have.

I havn't.. guess I better hike my ass up there sometime.

It better be snowing though.. just to make it worthwhile.
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Topic Author's Reply - Aug 6, 2013 - 08:02pm PT
Or Wild Iris.....two moves and a mantle.
10b4me

Ice climber
Wishes-He-Was-In-Arizona
Aug 6, 2013 - 09:55pm PT
You are right, Jim. The technical crux might be five feet off the ground, but the mental crux stays with you until you're back on the ground. What goes up, must come down.
Fritz

Trad climber
Choss Creek, ID
Aug 7, 2013 - 12:01am PT
Jim! Have a great time, and even though the next younger climber in your group is 34--------we know older-climbers have greater endurance!

And of course: with your experience, you have a better long-term view of the real-situation!

BEST WISHES FOR A FINE ADVENTURE!
Spider Savage

Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
Aug 7, 2013 - 12:49am PT
I think I'll disagree.

I find the hardest meter is the one most filled with doubt.


I usually find that last meter the easiest.




Of course, I've never climbed higher than a few Cali 14ers, so those climbing in the "death-zone" probably know better.
Peter Haan

Trad climber
Santa Cruz, CA
Aug 7, 2013 - 10:22am PT
Thank God we're Metrified. Imagine if it took place in Imperial??
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Topic Author's Reply - Aug 7, 2013 - 10:57am PT
Peter, you're a cosmopolitan guy....i'm sure your dreams are metric. I'm at the airport in Istanbul (quite posh) waiting for my flight to Tajikistan.
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Topic Author's Reply - Aug 7, 2013 - 11:19am PT
I never shake hands on the summit, only when I get back down....all the way down.
neversummer

climber
30 mins. from suicide USA
Aug 7, 2013 - 11:35am PT
insurance policy....
weezy

climber
Aug 7, 2013 - 12:12pm PT
And then there's Joshua Tree, where the first meter is the hardest and there's always a slabby ending.

don't forget Snake Hike with it's endless slab-slog from hell. the polar opposite of the zodiac top out.
mouse from merced

Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
Sep 19, 2013 - 06:47am PT
Great story and couldn't be more appropriate for a mid-life climb since it seems to encapsulate the challenges met in life, especially as it gets harder toward the end.--MH2 on The Wild Thing

http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/24241/Trip-Report-Wild-Thing

If it's not good trolling, try drift-fishing or cross-posting.

Leader: the last meter or so on a fishing line.

Loss leader: a retail gimmick to get customers in the door.

Lost leaders on the last meter: countless.
go-B

climber
Hebrews 1:3
Sep 19, 2013 - 07:19pm PT
The last 3.2808398950131234 feet is the hardest, but it aint over until your back down!



SteveW

Trad climber
The state of confusion
Sep 19, 2013 - 07:39pm PT

Just don't forget about getting down safely!
Don't let your guard down!
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Topic Author's Reply - Sep 19, 2013 - 07:43pm PT
Not to worry, I never consider a climb over until I am back down....hmmmm, going to the Black Canyon tomorrow where the climb is over when you are up. I'll have to change my mindset.
Deekaid

climber
Sep 20, 2013 - 10:56am PT
hey did anyone mention getting down safely?
WBraun

climber
Sep 20, 2013 - 11:04am PT
The last meter is only 3 feet.

Most people are over 5 feet.

If fall down face first towards to the actual summit you'll touch the summit for sure.

What's so hard about that?

Heh heh .....



NutAgain!

Trad climber
South Pasadena, CA
Oct 29, 2013 - 04:20pm PT
Last night I was thinking about this supertopo thread, when I had to drink 4 Liters of Colyte (8oz every 10 minutes). I'm not really sure if the last meter is the hardest meter, but now I do know that the last cup is the hardest cup.

Messages 1 - 20 of total 20 in this topic
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