We stoked our fire, making a huge blaze to ward off the cold air. We settled in our bags for the night, close to the crackling fire. I abruptly woke up to the sound of Mike stomping his feet. Bad idea to leave his pants next to the fire! The only thing left of them was a few burnt shreds. The $10 bill in his pocket was all but gone, save for a corner. That was our beer money for the ride back to town. Ouch!

Fortunately, Mike still had his underpants to climb in. Unfortunately, they were very loose-fitting. Watching him take the first lead, first thing in the morning was not a pretty sight. We sumitted uneventfully and early. We then spent the rest of the day until dark bushwhacking, rappelling twice down the wrong gully, trying to find the Forbes route exit.

The sight of Mike clad in his tattered underwear, legs completely covered in bloody slash marks from the manzanita and acacia, was an unforgettable sight. We laughed so hard all the way back to town. I’Toi had gotten us back for the disrespectful trundlings.

I’ll be looking for you up on Babo, Mike, hanging out with I’Toi!

I love you Mike,

Alex