The Rest of the Story...

Or at least the rest of Saturday, April 5th, 1980.

With that overwhelming sense of peace also came the feeling somewhere deep inside that I had just signed my husband's death certificate. I had peace, but there was a gnawing pain, too. I wandered through the stores some more and I still occasionally drove to the meeting point and checked the walkie-talkie, but as darkness came, I had to give up for the day.

During the previous week, while David was climbing, I had camped with two other couples so I wouldn't be alone. They had left Friday evening to avoid the incoming storm. One couple were teachers and needed to ensure they'd be home to prepare for teaching. Since they were Christians, too, I knew I could count on them for some wisdom and support. So, I called them later in the evening to let them know what was going on.

They assured me that things would be okay. They felt for sure David would have holed up in that alcove and waited for a break in the weather. They felt, also, that the batteries in the walkie-talkies probably died, so not to worry about the lack of communication. I hung up after this conversation with relief and started to reprimand myself for having such pessimism earlier. I was smiling as I headed off to drive back to my campsite, feeling the next morning would bring more news.

I had only gone a few steps, however, when I ran into Ray and Suzie Jardine. Ray was and has been a big name climber and inventor of climbing equipment. I had met them earlier in the week and had spent a bit of time with Suzie. They were somber and they informed me that they had just returned from the base of El Cap (El Capitan) where they had found a rack of climbing gear and a pair of EBs (special climbing shoes). They were David's.

Without a doubt, David was in trouble and would need some type of rescue.