Cliffs and danger ocean shores

OCEAN SHORES CONFERENCE CENTER 

The sun was shining, the waves were crashing – a perfect day for a walk along Ken Beach. My roommate, Jeff, and I were enjoying the quintessential Pacific Northwest scenery, laughing and talking as we strolled. Jeff, a formidable martial artist and a man built like a brick house, stood a head taller than my 6'1" frame. He was, and still is, incredibly fit and strong.

 Little did I know, this seemingly idyllic walk was about to turn into a terrifying test of nerve and friendship.

The Allure of the Ascent: Why We Climbed That 50-Foot Cliff

The cliffs along Ken Beach are stunning, rising approximately 50 feet from the sandy shore.

 We'd been walking for a while when Jeff, ever the adventurer, suggested an alternative route back to the road. Instead of walking another 25 feet to the nearest easy exit, he proposed we climb the 50-foot cliff.

Now, I have a slight issue with heights. Nothing debilitating, but enough to make me think twice. 

However, pride's a powerful motivator. There was no way I was going to appear less capable than my incredibly athletic roommate. So, with a healthy dose of youthful bravado (and perhaps a touch of stupidity), I agreed.

The Point of No Return: Panic Sets In on the Cliff Face

The climb began. Jeff, naturally, moved with practiced ease. I followed, trying to mimic his movements, focusing on each hand and foothold. There came a point, about halfway up, where retreat was no longer an option

. I'd scrambled over a section that was simply impossible to descend. My heart started to pound a little faster.

Then, at roughly 30 feet up, Jeff did something truly astounding. He jumped across a gap to the other side of the cliff, a leap that, in hindsight, seems almost unbelievable he survived. He then continued his ascent, leaving me staring at the chasm, paralyzed with fear.

My mind raced. If I tried that jump and missed, I was sure I'd bust my head open and likely die. The adrenaline surged, but it was quickly overshadowed by sheer panic. I couldn't do it. There was no way. I was stuck, literally between a rock and a hard place, cursing myself for putting me in this impossible situation. 

Going back down was out of the question; that possibility had vanished long ago.

A Friend Indeed: Jeff's Strength Saves the Day

I climbed as high as I physically could, my arms burning, my breath coming in ragged gasps. Jeff, seeing my predicament, leaned over the edge above me. He extended a hand, his powerful frame steadying himself. "Jump and grab my hand!" he yelled

.

With no other option, I took a leap of faith. His grip was like iron. With what felt like a monumental effort, he pulled me up, his sheer strength overcoming my weight and the precarious angle. I didn't scold him for getting us into this mess; I was just incredibly, overwhelmingly happy to be alive.

Alive and Grounded: The Aftermath and Michelle's Reaction

Back on solid ground, I was a bundle of nerves and exhilaration. My girlfriend at the time, Michelle, was working nearby. The first thing I did was practically run to her, shouting, 

"Tell Michelle I'm alive!" I recounted the entire terrifying ordeal, detailing Jeff's incredible feat and my near-death experience.

Michelle, understandably, was furious. The potential for a fatal accident was very real, and the thought of what could have happened deeply upset her. She was mad at me for a while, and honestly, she had every right to be.

That day on Ken Beach, when I was 23, taught me a powerful lesson about assessing risks, trusting my instincts (or lack thereof in this case!), and the incredible bond of friendship – especially when that friend has the strength to literally pull you from the jaws of danger. It's a story I'll never forget, and one that always makes me appreciate the feeling of solid ground beneath my feet.

Have you ever had a close call during an outdoor adventure? Share your stories in the comments below!

The Rock of the mountains

Have you heard the native legend of the rock monsters in the passes of Washington state?

The natives never went to the northern pass over the mountain after the first snowfall. The legend of the rock monsters kept them away.

One day long ago, two young braves from the tribe wanted tales of their bravery.

So they would go up to the passes at first snow. Then stay there a couple of days

Then return saying that they fought  the monster and lived. That was the plan. So the took off for the passes.  

It took three days then they were moving up the pass. They eventually found a place to camp out for a few days.  

They built a big fire. They had brought food 😋  So they had a plan. Hang out for a day or 2 cut each other, inform bruises on eac other.

Then they could come back, tell the story over there.They bravely fought the rock monsters. And they would be celebrated as heroes of the tribe. Because they didn't believe there was really rock monsters.

🪨  everything when according to plan the first day. They hung out by the 🔥 fire.  The next day they were deciding what to say.  They thought this would make them legends.In their own tribe. 

Then they saw it movement, add the stream. They looked on and ah, as a creature.

Walk towards them. It didn't move like a rock monster

Is a 10 feet tall face was Gray.

And it appeared to have agree armor code in its body.   Before any of them could react

It got two of them and a couple of strides. One was thrown across the river, but to the side. 

The other indian what's captured. And was killed, right in front of the other indian. The monster through the indian towards the tree line. Then the monster Walk away.  He went to his friends lifeless body and cried.

He realized his wrist was broken. He managed to find one horses 🐎  and began the journey home.

When he got back to the village.  Some did not believe. him. A search party  turn up  nothing.  The survivor chose live apart from the tribe, from then on, it was known after that, there's no tails of him from then on.