OCR Text |
Show Tuesday. May ?'L 1989- - Sun Advocate, Price, Utah 9A Balanced Rock iContiiHH'H from Pnge8A) Balanced Rock, then brought it back with us. Wilderness ethics have changed since 1929. We followed the rule, Take only pictures; leave only footprints. Shirley Richardson Haycock is now 57 years old, Cordons only daughter. She is in Carbon County for her adventures. If there were any real heroics exhibited in our climb of Balanced Rock, they were on Shirleys part. Shirley practically grew up on Balanced Rock. Her parents packed her across the mountain when she was only six months old. She has climbed to and on the base of the rock several times. It is safe to say that she has longed to stand atop the rock for 30 years. I spoke to Shirley about my intention to climb Balanced Rock about a year ago. At that time she said, If you ever decide to try it, count me in. I have since studied the rock carefully with binoculars from the highway below. One Saturday we climbed up the drainage on the north side to a point where we could see the rock clearly. I quickly realized that it would take expert know-hoto get on top of the rock safely. I was not excited about trying the approach used in 1929. One Saturday I approached Merrill Bitter at the REI store where he works in Salt Lake. Merrill is probably the finest rock climber in Utah. I had seen pictures of him in climbing magazines and knew he had placed 15th in the international competition at Snowbird in 1988. lie is very good at whathe does, and proved to be an intelligent, resourceful and very professional guide. I showed Merrill pictures of the rock, and photos of the first climb. He was eager to try the rock and enthusiastic about the sentimental aspects of the endeavor. He agreed to lead the climb, and we arranged to meet again several months hence, as May 12 approached. Other possible participants in the project came and went. During the final week it looked like it might just be me and Merrill and his climbing partner, Amy Irvine. Amy also works at REI and possesses many of the same qualities as Merrill. She is a vocal environmentalist. Steady and easygoing in temperament, she was always positive, and certain we would succeed in our climb. Both climbers are remarkably relaxed and likeable, especially well-know- n ld considering their stressful avocation. On Wednesday morning, May 10, 1 felt compelled to call Shirley Haycock and let her know what we were up to. She lives in Freemont, Calif., where she works as program director for the YMCA. I apologized for waiting until the last minute. Before we hung up she said, Dont be surprised if Im at the trailhead when you get there Friday morning. When Brad and I arrived at the pullout across from the Castle Gate power plant at 6:20 a.m., we found Merrill and Amy all sharing a and Shirley big bowl of fresh fruit salad. Shirley had driven from California with less than a days notice. She could not bear to miss this opportunity. As Shirley began her climb, Merrill tended the rope like a patient fisherman expecting a big bite. He kept the rope tight. While she climbed, I occupied myself by waving to the onlookers on the highway below and exalting in the majesty of the panorama that surrounded us. Shirley struggled a bit on the pedestal and ledge. On the upper rock her pace slowed to allow for prolonged rests. She conquered the rock an inch at a time. I wondered how she could hold on so long. We couldnt see her from the top of the rock because the route is slightly overhanging eight feet below the lip. When finally her head the fulfillment exhausted. Balanced Rock, the second generation to do so, and loving every minute of it. Friday, May 12, 1989, is a day Shirley and I will talk about every year at Richardson family reunions for the rest of our lives. Balanced Rock will have new meaning; it now belongs to us in the same way it belonged to our fathers and others who have traded dreams for the reality of and torso came into view below us, Shirley was flushed and But she was undaunted, not a glimmer of slackening in her determination to stand where her father stood 60 years ago. When she crawled onto the top of the rock, we cheered and whistled. What an incredible feat for a person of her age. Amy followed Shirley up the rock, racing up in a fraction of the time either Shirley or I had needed to make the climb. When Shirley began to recover, she stood up. With tears in her eyes, she said, This one is for my father. What a great man he has been. We embraced, looked each other straight in the eyes and said together, Wr did it! We really did it! I dont remember feeling such carefree exuberance since I was a kid on the playground at Helper Elementary School. When the pictures were taken, we lingered a long time on the top. Neither Shirley nor 1 wanted to go down. We had waited decades to stand here and look out over Martin, Helper, Spring Glen, Carbonville and Price. Our family has lived in these coal and railroad towns for three or four generations. Were a close-knclan, proud of each other and our heritage. Finally, we began the rappel to the saddle, and then did a monster rappel off the north wall of the mountain. We picked our way down through the boulders and cedars, across the river, to family members it 150-fo- waiting below. Like a good Thanksgiving dinner, our climb of Balanced Rock was so long in coming, and so quick in passing. But I will never forget the feeling of standing on its crown, realizing g of a dream, sensing a nearness to my own father who stood there as a boy the age of my sons, and has since passed on. I will life-lon- remember unfolding the Richardson banner over standing on it. In all this, there is no intent to compare ourselves to those boys who first climbed it. If anything, our climb with expert help, the finest equipment, and the advantage of60years of'his-toronly makes what they accomplished seem the more astounding. Leaving Balanced Rock, I found myself wondering if I would want my children and grandchildren to feel the compulsion to stand on this rock the way I have felt it. am tempted to say that it would be better to let the tradition die before some member of the family dies try1 Merrill Bitter .and Amy Irvine, thanks for the competence and professionalism that puts within reach of old people like me and Shirley To Shirley and Brad, thanks fot about being Richardsons to put everything on the line for something that many people would no caring enough understand. To the people of Carbon County, thanks for caring enough about what happens in your community to stop and watch for awhile, for letting the kids out of school it few minutes to look up at the rock through a spotting scope, for being excited about your heritage and for reading this article. After all, Balanced Rock stands for something we feel, but cant explain. Ive seen it in the eyes and heard it in the voices of my Carbon County relatives I and their neighbors for as long as I can remember. Maybe you know tbe feeling I am talking about. Heres to Balanced Rock! Brad Richardson, Gordon s grandson, beqins his rock exactly 60 years later. Jerry Baker Americas Master Gardener ing to uphold it. But, as I reflect on the challenges of todays youth, I wonder if weve lost something of the strength of spirit and that motivated those 1989 K Its better, ..7 tend, to confront risks on the mountain than to fall prey to aimlessness, fear of living, the love of ease, and other destruc tive trends of our day We are most alive when we live for something. And Balanced Rock is really something C ikt&wuiCjPl&ci orpncB Ajxj Baqqa Goods Available Only k. Stores Witt Garden Center Nursery lawn Vd Garden items Available Only If- larger K mart Stores 5FrSALElWEDWAYl24lTHRU;SATMAYj27 and Frank Gordon To i in I con mart GARDEN CENTER . self-relian- boys in 1929. Richardson, Arthur Sands ick and Burt Marshall, 1 say thanks for leaving to their posterities and neighbors a legacy of en, Bill will vision, and courage. To Our 2.57 Ea. Annuals nurcontaintured in ers. Selection includes impatiens, marigolds, salvia marguerite, shasta daisy, oriental poppy, dahlias, dianthus and many other popular varieties. Colorful Searchers look for two men feared lost In the Green River The Emery County Sheriffs Office and the Sheriffs Posse were searching early this week for a Green River man and his son who were swept away by the Green River on Saturday, May 20 Clinton R. Thompson, 34, son Clinton and his still were missing MonTyler afternoon despite an day intense search along a stretch of the river north of Green ascent of the accents. garden shown Mature Saturday. The two boys waded out into the river where they were overcome by the strong current and swept downstream. Thompson then went into the water, attempting to rescue the boys. However, he too was overcome and taken downstream. Although one of the three made it safely to an island in the river, Thompson and his son disappeared. River. According to the sheriffs office, the Thompsons and an adolescent friend were catfishing five miles north of the city near the pump house Buy nowl specimen A1 Some Regular Prices May Vory inAs fje to local Competition JmriMH A Uto PIT VOUR A HEALTH TP THE TEST American Diabetes Association Chiropractic can show you the way to FEEL GOOD...NATURALLY Save n Your Chiropractor works with nature to cure your aches and pains and calm frazzled nerves Are headaches and nervous tension spoiling your life? Do your muscles ache and your joints protest even when its not cold and clammy outside? No need to suffer unnecessary pain when a visit to your chiroprac tor can eliminate it. We treat the entire body on the theory that all parts Our 7.97 Ea. 26 Leaf-n-bu- Our 18.94 Ea. Beautiful climbing rosebushes nur contain lured in ers. Charming garden or d rosebushes cultivated in containers. Choice varieties and colors. Beautiful land scape accent. Save now! of most-popul- ar border accent with colorful fragrant blossoms. Mofur Mature specimens shown are through the central nervous brain and system, spinal column. See us We can help. inter-relate- d Buy now! Our 5.77. SOxi" garden hose of reinforced nylon. Lightweight and kink resistant. Flexible in all temperatures. Unaffected by nozzle shutoff. price! Buy-no- specimens shown Massage & Manipulation Thorough Exams Exercise We use no harmful X-r- ay drugs The Gary Arnold Family would like to express our sincere thanks to the many people of Carbon and Emery Counties The whole body is the concern of Chiropractic. Most important is the relationship be tween the nervous system. the brain, the spinal column and all the other parts ol the body 7s who have so generously shared of their time, expressions of concern, thoughtfulness, support, and many contributions during the recent illness and loss of our loved one. CARBON CHIROPRACTIC Our 6.87 Ea. Super Our 3.27 Ea. 3 V" adjustable hose nozzle; heavy-dutbrass with spray handle. Adjusts from fine spray to full stream. Shop at K marl for all your lawn and garden needs. home pest control with trigger sprayer. Controls a wide variety ol indoor pests and y Dr. M. K. Thayn 39 N. 600 l Price 637-045- 0 "Now Accepting New Patients" Save "W Tf 20 OPEN M-- F 8:30-5:3- Sat. 10-1- insects. savings 0 2 viyr L 1 in gallon. K mart has every department. Our 9.77 Bag. Super Diazinon soil and furl Insect control covers up to 5000 sq. ft Kills white grubs, fire ants, army worms, chinch bugs and more! bag AT YOUR LOCAL K MART A |