The Gornergrot's view of The Matterhorn

Yesterday many of us--not as many as other years-- attempted

the

legendary hike:

Zee Gornergrot. The Gornergrot

is a

roughly 5 hour hike

up to an elevation of 3100 meters. This climb presents a conundrum of many angles to the hiker's mind. It is beautiful beyond description and nearly every step affords a spectacular view of The Matterhorn (4478 m). The camera clicks early and often with the belief that this shot is unsurpassed--until you've ambled another one hundred feet, er meters. The zigzag route seems to turn the asymmetrical pyramid that is The Matterhorn, and an Aladin-like sudden appearance of a pillowy cloud transforms it again and again. But appreciation melts into the realization that if one stops to rest the muscles and gaze, motor skills may not perform as once believed. And the mind controls the muscles, I think. At least in evolutionary biology they did. Or Descartian philosophy. So what was I saying. I could say this in fewer words. The climb tires one out. And why do the novices--everyone except Hall and LV--have to keep asking us 'how much further?' The only variation of 'we're almost there' I could think of was, "Did you notice how absolutely lovely The Matterhorn looks right now?' In truth it is mostly the last 45 minutes that test a man or woman's resolve, and the ones who tried, really tried, well, they all made it.

Four finished first. Nicole (basketball team) and Nora (tennis team) represented the girls, while Trevor and Curtis (both baseball) did it for the guys in 4 hours flat. They all touched cement simultaneously. Significantly, Nora held up a pledge: tennis players have finished first the last three years--Michael Aston claimed the record last year in 3 hours flat, while David Eiges, a few years prior, did it in 3 hrs. 10 minutes. This is proof positive what I've always believed: tennis players are the best athletes. What is remarkable about this group, however, is that they went the wrong way by at least a half an hour and they all managed to stay together. Those desirous to win the climb have all gone solo and this group worked as a team.

Meanwhile, Hall and LV comforted the determined, but sickly second and third units by singing songs, telling stories, howling, reciting poetry, and displaying an array of bird calls that surely kept their spirits up. As an example, here's a bit of doggerel I composed.

Ode to The Gornergrot

You thought you left me there to rot,

But I was on The Gornergrot

You guessed I lost my will, my mind

Your thoughts of me left far behind.

But I was on The Gornergrot

The ancient peak that time forgot;

Across the way, The Matterhorn,

The most majestic ever born.

But I was on The Gornergrot.

I watched you fade toward the spot--

3000 meters, maybe more,

Then something happened to restore.

It came not from pride nor from within.

I knew I would again begin

And make my way up to the top,

For I was on The Gornergrot.

Frosty spoke of roads not taken,

Thoreau talked of desperation.

But I caught and passed you near the top

For I was on The Gornergrot.

The mountain was what sustained,

The Edelweis, marmots and terrain.

Your thought you left me there to rot,

But I was on The Gornergrot.

That is one of the problems. Groups fatten and thin out like silly puddy. For much of the walk I was with Jill, Rachel Lo, Paige and Missy. That's why they're in my pictures. (Amazingly, Rachel Lo didn't complain once. No lie. When she has a camera in her hand, she's happy. And her pictures are amazing. Mine are merely 2 gig-a-bit fakes.)

Here's the order of ascent.

1-4. Nicole, Nora, Trevor, Curtis

5. Liz

6. Hall

7. Shannon

8. LV

9. Joe (he, Rod and Derek started 45 mins. later)

10. Rod

11-14. Jordan, Lauren, Erin, Jill

15. Derek

16. Rachel Lo, Paige, Missy

17-18. Michelle and Lauren H.

19. Reina

20. Andrew

21.-24. Mitch, Skylar, Kyle, Jacob (also started 45 mins. late)

If you don't see your son's or daughter's name, they'll have a good excuse for you, I'm sure. Not as good as mine: I did it with a torn meniscus--surgery in August. Some took the train to the top or took the train down. But only 7 of the 24 hiked all the up and all the way down. Those seven are Joe, Curtis, Derek, Rod, Nora, Hall and LV. One girl and I'm proud of her.

Mt. High and wry,

LV