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The light was noticeably blue when we were climbing down the stairs beside Nevada Falls, and by the time we reached the top of Vernal Falls we needed flashlights. The trail was nowhere near as crowded as in the morning (we were probably among the slower people) and folks were helping each other find the turns. Slightly below the top of Vernal we found a group needing light, so we joined them. Near the bottom of Vernal we found a frightened few people. Their light had failed; new batteries didn't fix it, so it was probably the bulb; one of their group had a twisted ankle; and they'd heard there were bears out. What a combination! They stayed in the middle of a bridge, hoping that would be the least likely place to bump into bears, and waited for anyone with light. That was us. They joined our now-largish group also. We put the twisted ankle in the lead, with walking stick and someone to lean on, to set the pace. I walked alongside those two to provide light.
It's amazing how satisfying it is to be able to provide help to someone. Having a group around helped me down those painful steps. My knees didn't like it one bit, but it would have been worse by myself. I was helping people with my light and could go just a little faster because I knew that. I was also fairly familiar with the bottommost portions of the trail in the dark (indeed I've never descended that part in daylight) and could reassure people about how far we had to go. They were immensely thankful, but really, I was helped as much as they. At the bottom, we made sure each splinter group met waiting friends, and then headed off down the road to Curry Village. A time check photo at the Happy Isles Bridge showed that we'd made it down just before ten.
Walking on pavement was sheer pain. I had no idea, until we left the other groups, just how sore my feet were. I was also realizing that I hadn't eaten since the top of the higher falls. I was hungry, very hungry, but the thought of eating a Nutter Butter made me want to hurl. Every step along the pavement hurt. I was near the end of my ability.
We checked in to our hotel room at Curry Village. No food services were open. We tottered into the room and fell limply onto the beds. Peeling off my hiking boots was a unique experience (at least I hope it's unique). Boy did I ever want a shower, but my luggage was in the car. I crawled on hands and knees to the bathroom. Finally I decided I would bite the bullet and go get the luggage.
Phoned Rob to say we were down safely. I told him I never, ever, ever wanted to see another Nutter Butter as long as I lived. He laughed. Chris laughed. I didn't think it was funny until later.
Damage assessment: Three blisters, including one very deep that had ruptured and one very shallow and large that had not ruptured because it was under my big ol' piece of moleskin. Sunburned lips, but no other sunburn, thank goodness. Achy left hand from the cables. Achy quads. Achy butt. Achy calves. Very, very, very tender soles of feet.
I fell asleep awfully quickly.
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Ya did it CJ! The pain will go away. The pride will last forever.
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I'm way the hell too happy about this. I guess now I need a new goal!
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Go you. :)
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I said that at the top a lot too. Wow. Wow. Wow. I just kept saying it like that.
I am so happy! Yay.
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