I was turning 50 on May 24th and needed to set the stage for the second half of my life. Rolly came out. The two of us trained heavily the night before we left for the mountain using a combination of scotch and late night jocularity to prepare ourselves for the hardships ahead. Weeks of terrible weather on the summit then briefly gave way to a rare Spring morning of cloudless, windless white heaven as we ascended to 14,400 ft.

The climb together has put a metaphorical exclamation point to half a century of living for both of us. It may well have to be beaches for our birthdays until we need to do it again at 100.

ACROCINUS