Death Valley National Park
California
March 2019
Telescope Peak is more than 11 000 feet high. My friend Mike once climbed up and over this peak on his way to Mount Whitney.
Calling the park where Telescope Peak is located, the telephone conversation begins this way…
“Death Valley National Park. This is Aubrey. How may I help you?”
“Hi Aubrey. We’re coming out to visit and have in mind making a climb to Telescope Peak.”
“Oh…” says Aubrey.
“Aubrey,” I say, “What does it mean when you say, ‘Oh’?”
“It means ice ax and crampons. There’s a lot of ice and snow right now. When are you coming?
“In a month.”
“It may be gone, it may not be gone. It probably won’t be gone.”
When we get there, it is not gone. Perhaps another time.