One Month One World One Year Challenge 2022

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Cale and Joel met at the Onsen before the sun rose the next morning. They wanted to get an early start on their climb. The pair rode to the top of the ski lift and headed for the first set of walls of many they'd climb together that day.

"How're you feeling Cale? Besides excited."
"Pumped! A little anxious about Croft Falls though."
"I'm confident you can handle it, you've trained hard and are at the top of your game. Just keep focused."
"I can do that."

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Cale had climbed these walls many, many times. He knew every hand and foothold on them and quickly made his way to the top. They met briefly at the first trail marker leading to the summit and then headed out.

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The weather started to get nasty the farther they walked. There was now a raging blizzard happening, including thundersnow.

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They decided to rest for awhile at a base camp area and see if the weather would clear. Joel said if it didn't clear up soon, they might have to cancel their excursion for another day. Cale was disappointed, but he understood. Safety first, always.

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After an hour or so, Cale woke when he heard singing off in the distance.
(Singing?)

"Good day sunshine, Good day sunshine, Good day sunshine. I need to laugh, and when the sun is out, I've got something I can laugh about. I feel good, in a special way... COME ON UP CALE IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY!"

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"I'M COMING!"

Apparently Joel had got up and climbed the walls by himself to greet the morning. The skies had cleared finally and the sun was high in the sky. It was time to move on to Croft Falls!

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Cale fell at the bottom of these walls, but luckily he didn't get hurt and was successful the second time.

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When they reached Croft Falls, it had started to snow again and both of them were a bit cold. Thankfully, someone had left a bonfire all ready to be lit. The two had a chat and warmed up for a bit before Joel turned and walked toward the walls.

"I'll go check them out while you have a snack."
"Sounds good."

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Cale scarfed down an apple and one of the energy bars he'd made and then joined Joel at the foot of Croft Falls.

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They started out climbing at a quite even pace.

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But then Cale surpassed Joel and started to hot dog his way up, jumping and swinging from side to side holding on with just his fingers! Gah! Cale, be careful! I thought he would fall from the looks of it. o.O

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Joel on the other hand is taking his time, climbing meticulously.

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Stop horsing around Cale! You're almost at the top. He's hanging there again by just his fingertips! I'm not going to have any hair left at this point.

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(You worry too much Watcher, I got this!)
Oh sure, okay, uh, please, don't lean over like that, you're scaring me!
(Tsk, alright, alright.)

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YES! He made it! *Whew* Well, almost, just a little bit more...

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Cale just stood waiting for Joel, mesmerized by the beauty of the fierce storm swirling around him, blowing the blinding white snow around like a whirling dervish.

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He felt like the only man in the world, standing in a sea of sparkling white diamond dust. It was magnificent.

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Just to give you an idea of how high those walls are. Can you pick out where Joel is clinging to the side?

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Joel finally joined him and they ran to the next marker, the final leg of the trail that would lead to the top of the mountain.

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"We're almost there Cale. I recognize that cave over there. Too bad it's covered with icicles, it's pretty cool inside. Maybe next time you climb up here it'll be better weather."
"Yeah, maybe."
Cale wondered if he ever would climb up here again. He certainly hoped so. Would Joel ever want to do this again? Or perhaps someone else would come here with him. He couldn't think about that very much right now though, his focus was on reaching the summit.

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"How many times have you climbed up here Joel? Curious who you brought with you before."
"Three before, this will be four. Two times with some of my wilderness survival buddies, and once...well, I brought the girl I thought I would marry with me."

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"Thought? Guessing it didn't work out."
"No, it wasn't meant to be. She decided she didn't like climbing mountains or anything else to do with the wilderness. Last I heard she'd married a stock market broker and lived in Del Sol Valley."
"I'm sorry. Hopefully you'll find someone else to love."
"Maybe, there's been others, but none of them last."
"Lots of lovelies in the worlds, I'm sure the one for you is out there, somewhere. You just haven't met her yet."
"Perhaps, I'm not worried. I'm having fun, lots of ladies to keep me company. It's cool."

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"Is that it up there? Am I seeing what I think I see?"
"Yes it is! Not far now. Let's run!"

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"Oh Wow, we made it. We made it Joel! It's incredible! The view is...I'm speechless."
"It certainly is. Oh I know, believe me. No matter how many times I've come here, it always takes my breath away. There's just nothing else like standing on top of the world."

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"Thank you, thank you so much for agreeing to come with me. You're the best Big Bro a guy could ever have. I'll never, ever forget this day."
"I won't either Cale. You did good, better than good, you were so brave and courageous. A bit of a hot dog at times, but it didn't matter. You did it Cale. I'm proud of you."

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"I'm proud of me too, and I'm proud of you! You deserve just as much credit for this trip. I couldn't have done it without you."
"Eh, maybe, maybe not. But I'm glad you asked me. I hope we're friends for the rest of our lives Bro."

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"Count on it. Best friends forever?"
"Best friends AND Bros forever!"