5.16 Bell Rock, Sedona

Better views by clicking on pictures and then the 'return button'

Blue Belle on return from scaling the Bell

Ringing Belle on top of the world. Courthouse Butte 'behind'.

At Peak. Of beauts, buttes, belles, butts and bells

Yesterday, the heat was murder, in the Cathedral, Thomas. Today, enough tolling that bell already, Ernest.

Fear! What is it? Difficult to describe but as a former legislator or judge remarked of pornography: “I cannot define it but recognize it when I see it.” I suppose the analogy will work for fear, too with the difference that it’s mostly an inner feeling. Why do we mention this? For two reasons, really. The first being it is pertinent to the Bell Rock climb. The second: We are running low on words and our editor pays us by length. She realizes we would starve if the criterion was based upon quality alone.

On the mountains, we have felt real fear a couple of times, the male member particularly. That doesn’t read right, does it? Perhaps, it should read male spouse instead. That’s better. One time was in Telluride where we climbed on loose rocks that reached a pitch of 60 degrees. We realized that we were in trouble when there was no way back or forward.

On Bell Rock some three years ago, we made our way to the top; the problem occurred coming down. Climbing this particular monolith takes thought. We think it requires thinking oneself both up and down. We reached a point where the brain froze and ‘demanded’ of us not to continue. We were perched in a position with a sheer drop before us—no man’s land, if you will. A slight error and we would tumble hundreds of feet. That is when fear takes hold. We notice the longer one remains in position looking down into the abyss, the less stable one becomes. Our editor followed directly behind and when we mentioned the difficulty of our situation, she alleviated the tension somewhat with her reply. “Hey. I have no problem. If I fall you will be in the way and act as my buffer.” Great!

Still a bit to go--some early apprehension

One of the peaks where the wind is shifty

Still some way to go--click on picture to find Mom Belle

We always approach Bell Rock with caution as we move along the slick rocks and derive considerable joy and excitement, mixed with caution and a twist of fear just to keep ‘our feet on the ground’. A good question might be: ‘Then why do you do it?’ Let us get back to you on that.
Today’s climb up and down the Bell went smoothly. Sure, there are parts when the fear factor rises but that is necessary so that one does not act stupidly. The funny thing is that it only takes one tiny misjudgment in life or on a mountain. One can do a thousand good things and slip up once—and that may be once too many. Sometimes the odds can be frightening. Perhaps that’s another reason to hope Hashem is watching over us.

Coming through the gap

Not the smartest--but somewhat of a tradition at each hike

In closing, we remember the first visit to Bell Rock. In those days, we thought the attractive rocks were for viewing, not climbing. We moved up a hundred feet or so and spotted someone standing at the top perch. We have to admit we pointed rudely towards the fellow and mentioned to our editor: “Now that’s a moronic thing to do. What an idiot!” Yes, well either we are morons, too or that was a premature judgment…we leave that to you.

Reaching the top surrounded by rocks (trying not to use hands)

Hey, Miss Cool

Your move, fellah. Mind that cactus below

The third peak

Triumph and joy after climb. Down is trickier

Cheers,

Rocky and Rock