Beware The Descent

After our hosting stint at Spring Canyon (here), Pat and I moved on to Klipchuck campground in the Okanogan National Forest. One of the goals that Pat had set for himself (and me) this summer was to hike the Driveway Butte trail. Not because it was popular. Not because it was scenic. No... Pat's primary reason for wanting to hike the Driveway Butte trail was that it was CHALLENGING. And the trail-head was conveniently located at Klipchuck campground.

On a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the most difficult, the Driveway Butte trail must be a 5! (This is Pat-- humpf! 4 max!) The trail gains 3000 feet in 3 miles. Anything steeper would be a rock climb! (This is Pat-- humpf-- again.) And hiking this trail had been out of the question for Pat for more than a decade because of his weight. But now that he has shed 80 pounds, he was ready for a physical challenge. And the challenge had a name, "Driveway Butte."

We had begun training for the hike in June. And now, in early September, I was looking forward to getting it over with! We checked the weather forecast. We packed first aid supplies. We layered our clothing. We took extra food, water, and emergency provisions. We agreed on what time we would begin the return trip and on what weather conditions would cause us to turn back sooner. We told the campground hosts our plans. We covered every contingency that we could anticipate. And then we began the ascent.

The first half-mile was the most taxing. Loose rocks and protruding roots kept our attention focused on our footing. Then we cleared the forested area and began to scale the STEEP switchbacks on the bare south-facing slope. It was slow going. Isolated trees and spectacular views became excuses for frequent rest stops. We kept reminding each other that the return trip would be DOWN. After three miles and almost four hours, we topped the ridge. We were 3000 feet above the campground and felt pretty smug about our accomplishment.

At the agreed upon time we began the descent. The first mile was unremarkable. Then the trail got steeper and our joints began to protest. Pain and stiffness set in, and we grew concerned because we knew that the worst part of the descent was still ahead. As we continued downward, ankles, knees, and hips ached mightily. And we realized with alarm that just one misstep could spell disaster for either one of us, and that the other one would not be able to provide much help. It was a long, slow, silent descent... we didn't dare stop for fear that our joints would seize up and that we would lose what little daylight remained. It took us four hours to cover the three miles down--just as long as it took to go up--only this time there weren't any rest stops!

Pat and I had a wake-up call that day on Driveway Butte. We had anticipated the challenge of the ascent, but it never occurred to either one of us that the true test of our physical limitations and abilities would be the descent. And that oversight could have been our undoing.

Many of make the same mistake in our spiritual walk. We focus on the obvious-- on what we think it might take to guarantee success, or on what might make us feel good. But we overlook or deny the possibility of declining health, financial reversal, sudden death, or the loss of physical and mental abilities that come with aging. We know that these things happen to OTHERS, but we choose to believe that they won't happen to us. And we ignore the challenge of the descent to our peril.

But the descent will come. Our limitations will be revealed. Our faith will be challenged. And we will be tested in ways that we haven't anticipated. Are you prepared for the challenge of the descent?

Pastor Kit