Joy vs. the Wilderness, the final chapter

Posted by joy.the.curious on Aug 24, 2016 in Jacob | 24 comments

Day 6

After five days of hiking and camping along the Horn Creek Trail in the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, we returned to Snowy Peaks Campground in Buena Vista on Wednesday afternoon. Another former Trekker, Merrill, and his dog Macy were there to greet us with happy hour snacks and beer. Though I’d never met him, I could not have asked for a better friend. I’m quite sure fresh veggies, hummus, chips, salsa, and Coors Light had never tasted so good.

We all took hot showers and enjoyed a spaghetti dinner, followed by the most amazing sunset. I went to bed early and was finally able to get a decent night’s sleep before our big hike the next day.

Carbo loading before the big climb – spaghetti dinner!

Red sky at night, climber’s delight!

Day 7

After six days of acclimation, it had all come to this… Huron Peak. We woke up at daybreak, and after a quick grab-and-go breakfast of hard boiled eggs, fresh fruit and coffee, we each prepared a snack bag for the big climb. I chose trail mix, salted nut rolls, a Clif bar, and some M&Ms. Snack bag of champions.

Bill mentioned that the road leading up to Huron Peak was “a little rough,” so we left the Volvo behind and took off in Bill’s Jeep, Amy’s Land Rover, and Merrill’s 4-wheel drive pickup. As we turned off the main road and onto the gravel, the road got rougher and rougher. “This is the good part,” Bill kept saying as I popped more Dramamine. “So, when is the rough part?” I asked. “Oh, you’ll know,” he replied.

He wasn’t kidding. We passed some smaller trucks and cars that were parked at the “2-wheel drive trailhead” and continued on our way. Not long after, we reached what I thought was an impassable chunk of washed-out road and gullies. Bill put the Jeep in a different gear and said, “here’s the rough part.” I grabbed what my mother calls “the Jesus handle,” shut my eyes, and once again hoped for the best.

Somehow we made it, as did the rest of the entourage. We parked at the “4-wheel drive trailhead” and grabbed our day packs out of the trucks. This time, when Bill asked if I wanted to borrow a pair of hiking poles, I was quick to reply with a firm yes.

According to RockyMountainHiking

Trails.com, Huron Peak is located in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area of the San Isabel National Forest. It lies along the western edge of the Sawatch Range and is known for its spectacular views. Topping out at an elevation of “only” 14,003 feet, Huron Peak is ranked 52nd in height among all 53 fourteeners in Colorado. The only other 14,000-foot peak with a lower elevation is Sunshine Peak in the San Juan Mountains.

Just before starting out, I took a short video. The time was 8:44 AM.

I stared at the top of that mountain and knew I could make it. There was no doubt in my mind. I accepted the fact it might take me a little longer than the rest, but I was determined to make it… no turning back. More than anything, I wanted a picture of Jordan and me standing together at the summit of our first Fourteener.

So, off we went… up, up, up. I tried to keep up with Jerry for a while, but I lost him pretty quickly. Eventually I found my groove with Lucy, Merrill, and Macy (the dog). Jordan would also pop back to check on me every so often. I tried not to think about the fact that we’d be ascending 3500 feet, all in one day. Instead, I just kept putting one foot in front of the other and punching out a rhythm with my hiking poles. You’d think a person would get a lot of thinking done while they’re out there putting one foot in front of the other for 7 hours straight, but I don’t think I did. In fact, maybe that’s the beauty of mountain hiking… the sheer mindlessness of it. For me, I found it nearly impossible to carry on a meaningful conversation while I was gasping for breath, so it really became a mindless journey of mind over matter. Walk. Drink. Admire. Repeat.

Once we cleared the tree line, the views were absolutely breathtaking. It was a beautiful morning with crystal blue skies… a perfect day for hiking… or so I thought. Here’s a video two hours into our hike:

I made it to the basin where the trail evened-off for a bit and provided spectacular views of an alpine meadow covered in beautiful wildflowers. Michelle took the following gorgeous photo which still doesn’t quite do it justice:

Wildflowers on Huron Peak

It was about this time I ran out of water… and stamina. (Word to the wise… when the list says “Nalgene bottle,” get yourself a Nalgene bottle. At the very least, get yourself a decent water bottle with a wide mouth that holds more than 24 ounces and doesn’t squirt you in the face whenever you put a fizzy tablet into it.) I sat down to eat my Clif bar and admire the wildflowers (i.e., try not to die) and took the following video. The altitude must have been getting to me at this point, because it’s a little ridiculous how many times I say the word ridiculous.

Jordan popped back to check on me, and after a quick chat, I sent him on ahead. Lucy had also ventured ahead at this point, as well as Merrill and Macy, the dog. The sky was starting to look a little gloomy off in the distance, and without anyone having to say it, we realized we’d better keep moving if we were going to make the summit before the afternoon thunderstorms hit.

As for me, I was losing my groove. From the meadow, I could look up to the ridge and see all the people who had passed me along the way. They were as tiny as ants, marching their way up to the summit, and I thought… I’ll never make it. I finished my Clif bar and wished I had something… anything… to wash it down with.

Enter Bill. He and Amy caught up to me at this point and Bill offered me his spare Nalgene bottle filled with Gatorade. I could have kissed him. I took a good long gulp, stared at the tiny ant people on the ridge, and thought… I did not come this far to not make it. But I was going to need a little help. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

I pulled out the 70s music.

Yes, I said it. I love 70s music… the cheesier, the better. If I was going to make it to the top of this Fourteener, I was going to need my “Couch to 5K” playlist. It got me through two miles of jogging; surely it would get me to the top of Huron Peak.

Suddenly, I was in my happy place again. Amy led the way, with me in the middle and Bill pulling up the rear. One foot in front of the other. Like a Rhinestone Cowboy. Roll With the Changes. On and On. Sweet Life. Don’t Pull Your Love out on me Honey. I’m on the Top of the World.

As we neared the top, the terrain got rockier and the path got steeper. It was a little freaky (a lot freaky), but I just kept my head down and tried to concentrate on where to put my foot next. And then… lightning. Crap.

The storm clouds were gathering over the peaks behind us and in front of us. It seemed only a matter of time before they’d find Huron Peak, too. The rest of the gang had already made it to the summit and were wisely starting to head down. Lightning is nothing to mess with on a 14,000 foot mountain so I knew we had to turn around, but I was so disappointed. I was SOO close… just 300 feet from the summit. I’d come all that way, only to have to turn around at the very end.

Storm clouds

Bill

Amy

Michelle, Tim, Jordan

I was very happy Jordan made it to the summit, and I’m pretty sure this will not be his last Fourteener. He seemed pretty hooked, and very much in his element.

As for me? Boy… yikes. That was all very hard and scary. But here’s one thing I know. I’ve never done anything so meaningful and rewarding in my entire life. I look back now and still can’t believe I actually did it.

After we returned home, Jerry Wetterling gave me a special gift which I absolutely love. It’s a framed print of all 53 “Fourteeners” in Colorado. I now have it sitting on a shelf in my living room so I can stare at it every day and marvel at the fact that I somehow survived. One down, 52 to go. Thanks Jerry!

Thanks also to everyone who followed me along on this journey, and to everyone who sent in a donation to support this year’s Wilderness Trek. As a group, we raised over $16,000… the most ever! All donations go to the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center to help with victim assistance and prevention programming to help keep our kids safe. I couldn’t be happier or more proud to support such an important and worthy cause.

Next time

It’s over: After nearly 27 years, Jacob is found.

24 Comments

1. Lindi | August 24, 2016 at 10:57 pm

   Congratulations Joy! You did something that you never planned on doing and came out of it with a new knowledge of yourself. Keep on exploring without and within.

2. Jared | August 25, 2016 at 9:45 am

   Thank you for sharing your adventure in the wilderness … im curious to see what you choose to write about next 🙂

3. Jessica Rohloff | August 25, 2016 at 11:24 am

   Wow, beautiful. Thanks for bringing us along.

4. Shelly | August 25, 2016 at 3:22 pm

   Congratulations Joy and Jordan. I am so proud of both of you!

5. Lisa Ramerth | August 25, 2016 at 9:05 pm

   Thanks Joy! This was so fun to read! Congrats to you both!

6. Kathy Almendinger | August 27, 2016 at 1:40 pm

   The narration was great, the videos spectacular, and the courage to do this, the stamina (both physically and mentally) are inspiration to us all. Thank you Joy, Jordan and the JWRC Trekkers. We couldn’t have enjoyed this more! And we will never forget Jacob!!!!!!

7. Lissa | September 3, 2016 at 8:47 am

   Found. I’m heart-broken and relieved. He has been found.

8. Kara Pemberton | September 3, 2016 at 9:07 am

   Today’s news that the remains found may be Jacob’s is heartbreaking.

9. swfl18 | September 3, 2016 at 12:40 pm

   Good job, Joy! Because of your persistence and dedication, you gave the nation peace and most importantly , Closure for the Wetterling family.May God bless you for your strong sense of desire to help Patty and her family!

10. Jennifer | September 3, 2016 at 2:44 pm

    So thankful to you Joy, for all that you have done that led to today’s news. Jacob has been on my heart for many years. I was in high school when he was taken, and his absence shaped who I became as a parent. I know you had so much to do with bringing the investigation to this point. They had leverage because of the good work you did. I do not understand why you are not cited in the articles I read. Your investigation was critical. I am thankful to you, to Jared and to the Paynesville victims. Without their courage there would not have been pressure for the follow up, which means there would not have been the search warrant…and those federal charges are what gave law enforcement the leverage they needed to get to where we are today. Thank you so much for never giving up. I hope the Wetterlings (and Aaron…and Jared too) can feel the support of the community. We never stopped thinking about him. I am sad today, but a part of my heart is thankful that he was found…that Patty and Jerry can give him a proper burial.

11. Rene | September 3, 2016 at 3:16 pm

    Peace for Jacob’s family. Maybe now they can have some kind of closure. I am so deeply sorry for them.

12. Laura Graff | September 3, 2016 at 4:52 pm

    Today is a difficult day. Hope is gone. You made a difference, you made the connections. I watched some interviews this morning and your perseverance and connecting the cases and getting victims to talk is being credited for helping find this monster. I know that doesn’t help the hurt today, but know it. 💜🙏💜

13. Gigi | September 3, 2016 at 4:59 pm

    I thought of you with today’s news. In some ways it is hard to believe. Peace to all, especially Jacob’s family.

14. Bostonian | September 3, 2016 at 8:17 pm

    I never thought this day would come. Although it is not the ending we hoped for, at least the Wetterling family knows what happened to Jacob. They will now have a grave to visit, and know that Jacob is in heaven. My heart goes out to them. I would like to thank Joy for her tireless work on this. She really made a difference.

15. Renee | September 3, 2016 at 9:24 pm

    I, too, am not understanding why your name is not being cited today in the news reports. You have demonstrated that we all can be a star thrower. Peace for Jacob and his family.

16. TJ | September 3, 2016 at 10:41 pm

    Joy, I have been reading your blog for years. Your investigation has been the turning point in Jacob’s case. Because you connected the Paynesville, Cold Spring and St Joseph cases, we now have closure. Well done. My prayers are with the Wetterling family.

17. Derek | September 4, 2016 at 12:27 am

    My heart and the hope I held onto with all of my might was torn out of my chest at the deep unending sadness of the news of Jacob Wetterling.

    There’s few people in this world that are highlighted above the rest. You can see this in them just by looking at them you know their one of the good guys. Someone that cares and looks after others. A special rarity that brightens up this darkening world. Jacob had that quality.

    Jacob will always be missed, never forgotten and cherished in our hearts and minds for all eternity.

18. SARA | September 4, 2016 at 10:56 am

    Where is Jacob? Jacob is resting in peace, he is home. Patty was right, the answers would come with love. We followed the wetterlings journey. We grieved with them, we learned from them and we became better people for having gotten involved on this blog to help them any way we could. We love Jacob, we love patty and jerry and their other kids. We shined the porch lights to let America know that our children will not be violated, we will not stand for it. Not today, Not tommorrow, never. Jacobs light will never be extinguished, he is forever in everyones heart. We love you Jacob, rest in peace little man, you are a special little boy and we will never forget you!

19. P.M. | September 4, 2016 at 12:26 pm

    The only reason Jacob has been found is because of Joy. She got the ball rolling after all this time and is the one who made these connections to the other town and got Jared involved. I really hope people know this and don’t think that law enforcement pieced all this together. Joy got things moving on this. if not for her they had ages to try to piece all this together and did not.

20. Mario | September 4, 2016 at 12:56 pm

    Joy, your work helped nudge this along and it paid off. Against all odds it paid off. Nobody wanted to believe this one could be lost for good and now for better or for worse that family at least knows what became of their child.
    I won’t forget what I saw here on this blog. Good work.

21. Anne | September 5, 2016 at 11:46 am

    What an accomplishment! Congratulations to you and Jordan! I’ve enjoyed reading about your trip and thanks for sharing the photos and videos too. How pretty it is there! I’m glad you all had a great time 😊

22. Anne | September 5, 2016 at 12:09 pm

    Joy I just found out about Jacob. What a sad way for Jacob to come home, but I’m glad he’s finally going to be home. I don’t understand why you aren’t being mentioned in the news stories I’m finding. I haven’t read anything about Jared’s pending lawsuit either. The two of you did so much work on this.

    I can’t begin to imagine just what this is like for the Wetterling family, but I hope this gives them some comfort to at least know Jacob will finally be coming home, and i pray that God can help them now because I’m sure this is so painful.

23. Carey | September 5, 2016 at 1:31 pm

    Thank you for following your heart and listening to God!

24. Mary | September 5, 2016 at 2:16 pm

    Joy, YOU are an amazing investigator and journalist! GOD Bless You always!