47.34 Nevada: Beatty...free climbing to Sawtooth near the ghost town of Rhyolite...real spooky.

We decided not to enter Death Valley Park one Friday and rather spend time free climbing the mountains surrounding the ghost town of Rhyolite, just outside the town of Beatty. It sure was spooky but that had nothing to do with ghosts. While we might have had white faces at times, in a manner of speaking, it was from the treacherous path we took to the top. That I 'follow' Jenni on these wild goose chases attests to my lack of good judgment but also, level of trust. Nevertheless, the sights were terrific, the color of the rocks superb and our climbing skills were nicely toned. The odd prayer or two must have helped, too. 

Not surprising, we did not meet a soul on the mountain, perhaps a ghost or two but then again, how do you tell. Once again, the experiences we undertake make us feel most fortunate especially when returning to the trailhead unhurt. What a world! 

Lean on me but I prick hands, too.

Always steeper than it looks.

Not all that glitters is gold.
Unbeknown to many, years ago I was a minor. Now I'm a senior. We found this abandoned mine. He looks dejected for we forgot our miner's lights. We have always been amazed and in awe of the previous generations who undertook such incredibly difficult tasks, voyages of discovery and provided the way forward for succeeding generations. Each day, we think about the pioneers.

Trying not to hold on.

Brave girl. Sometimes, I just can't look.

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey