Pilchuck Bat Crack

"What the Hell," I yelled!

I had been free-climbing parts of the steep-walled cirque above Hemple Lake on Mt. Pilchuck, without the aid of technical rock climbing gear such as rope and pitons, when just before I topped out on the rock slab face I was clinging to, I stuck my left hand in a crack for a better hold to pull up upon, and I felt something move . . . then a bat flew out.

My nerve was just about shattered from the movement of the creature and it flying into my face, but I held on, though I moved for another hold . . . a hold I hoped would be vacant of bats! I made a few moves and soon I was standing atop the slabs spine looking into the cirque below of Lake Twenty-two, a beautiful turquoise-colored alpine lake.

At any rate, the view seemed to soothe my nerves and the rest of the day went without incident.

KJM

Aug. 6, 1982