Needing A Miracle

When I returned to Denver that first Christmas - all was not as I expected.
Oh yeah, the parents were still works of "art", it was obvious that leaving home had been the correct choice!
But my high school friends had continued their drug idled lirock scrambling up ves - we no longer had anything in common!
But at least I still had one friend.
And he wanted to go climb Longs Peak.

I used to guide on that mountain while in high school.
So, good choice!

It was a typical December morning, clear and cold.
Every thing went according to plan until we were on the West side, rock scrambling up a draw.
Due to the ice, we had roped up.
So, I was at the top of rhe draw.
The peak rising 400' to my left.
Before me, a sheer drop of 2,500 feet.
And behind me, 150' of rope, attached to my friend 130 below.
Then he uttered those memorable sounds, "Ooooops...."

I heard him start his fall.
Only 9,000' to the bottom!
Since I had just reached the top of the draw, I had no protection yet with which to hold him.
I uttered a short prayer and swung my ice axe!
I really needed a miracle!
Or we were both going to die.

The axe hit the ice and the rocks under the ice.
And I realized that the butte of the axe had gone into my leg!
The axe had a good bite but now the rope was drawing taunt.
It snapped tight and I was thrown backwards.
The axe was forced to release its hold on my leg.
But  with an incredible wave of pain!

The axe remained solid.
I was hung by my left wrist strap!
My friend dangled on the rope.
The pressure on my wrist was only less than the shattered bone in my leg!

He climbed up to my perch.
I got back on the rocks.
Placed a tourniquet on the leg.
And caught my breath.

There was no going back.
And going over top seemed to be suicide.
We decided to summit.
Perhaps someone was up there - with more rope!

Nope, a barren wind swept landscape.
Going back was improbable.
Going forward could be done, at least down to 13,250'.
But it really would take a miracle.
I was hopping on one leg .....

In my 76 times summitting on this mountain, I knew the north side well.
So, in distances of roughly 120', I would slide down the face.
Then my friend, would slide down.
We repeated this for the full 1,000' of the north face.
You better believe we said quite a few prayers!!!!!

Of course, once off the face, my friend had to half carry me!
For 4.5 miles back to the car.
Yeah, it took most of the day!
And we offered many prayers of thanks!

But, was the first flat out miracle I had ever seen.
Sure I had read about miracles.
But that was long ago, to people far more worthy than I!
God really cared about me and my friend!
Else why defy gravity to save us?

God knows what we need, before we need it.
He meerly awaits our asking.
Then stand back and watch out!