05/21/2025
Lesson learned:
Visited the wonderful Tonto National Monument on Sunday.
It’s a vertical climb of about a half mile with a 200 ft gain to get to the cliff dwelling. It’s paved and I wasn’t too worried about the physical aspect.
I began the ascent and was enjoying the spectacular views as I climbed. It must be said I do have a fear of heights but it’s fickle and only rears its head in particular situations.
As I get about half way up, a gust of wind pushes me forward a bit and I panic. There aren’t any handrails along the outer side of the switchback trail, just a steep drop off. Luckily, there happened to be a bench close by. I plopped myself down and contemplated what I was gonna do next. Was I going to chicken out and head back down or go forward (This very thing happened a few times. In the first instance, I pushed myself to climb to the top of Piestewa Peak. The other time, I couldn't do it at a trail in the Olympic National Park).
As I sat there, one of the rangers was on his way up to relieve the ranger on duty at the cliff dwelling. I said hello as he passed. But then with a flash of insight, I asked if I could walk up with him as I have a fear of heights. He said “Sure!”. He stayed on the outside all the way up. We chatted as we walked. He’s from Idaho (of course he’s a park ranger!).
When we arrived at the top, I thanked him profusely (I took exactly one picture at the top). Then asked the ranger that was heading down if I could walk with him… “Of course!”. He’s from North Carolina and has been moving ever further west (the West really is best!).
Made it down in one piece but exhausted, in a good way.
For me, the lesson was not conquering my fear of heights, it was asking for help. Ifykyk
Shout out to Jacob and David who did a wonderful job that is clearly not in their purview!
And remember folks, the National Park Service is a national treasure, protect it at all costs!
