Down we went. It became intense. Finally we approached the big stemming part that my dad had mentioned so many times. I was going to go up, but Dave protested and said that I could go low. He taught me a helpful and painful heel and toe method. Toe on the front wall and heel on the opposite wall. So Dave and I went through the narrow section heel and toe all the way over and above the headband. At the end I decided to go low and to the canyon floor. Dave suggested I try to squeeze into the bottom and get the band. It was hard and I couldn’t at first, but figured out a wider spot and I got it, to Dave’s, my own and everyone’s amazement. I began to drag the headband on the ground back to Dave. I did it! It was an amazing feeling. When I looked back, I thought never again will I fit. I showed the headband with pride to everyone, stuffed it in my backpack and continued.
This time it was much harder. I couldn’t get started, so Dave, the amazing Dave, came over and let me use his feet as stair steps. I couldn’t get up, as my gas tank was on E and I was slipping losing my composure. Luckily for me, I had Dave and my dad to drag me to the high part to stem the rest of the way. I slipped down to Dave, exited the canyon and collapsed in the sand. After everyone was out we did a group photo at the end of the canyon. The hike out was hot and dull all the way to the car. Then we were on our way home.
