Almost Home (by zach.stone)

This photo is from just over 14 hours after the one entitled ‘Setting out.’  We are almost back to our campsite at Wasdale Head, and fully whipped from the day of climbing. Peter and I tackled three routes on Scafell: Bottrill’s Slab (VS 4c), Mickledore Grooves (VS 4c), and Moss Ghyll Grooves (MVS 4c). Ian and Matt bagged Bottrill’s and Moss Ghyll as well, but Ian may have accidentally climbed the ole’ E1 5b variation to Moss Ghyll. They also had an epic descent. That took 3 hours. This is what happens to Sport Climbers/Boulderers on Scafell. In fairness, though, they were up for it and got on with it. Especially Ian just months off shattering his ankle in a fall from Master’s Edge. This was his first day back. And what a day it was. By this point we were on autopilot, aimed at camp, with food on our minds. I guess what I like about this photo is how it hints at all the things which make a day of climbing good. First, the mountains, second the weather, and finally- and most importantly- the same four people who set out are walking home under their own power. As I was taught early on there is only one type of ‘good’ day in the mountains. A good day is a day in which you yourself, and your partners, walk home at the end.