What Signs?

It was a casual Saturday on my day off from my job at the Air Force base back in the early 1990s. Garden of the Gods was a popular spot for me to explore and I often went alone as no one in my unit was interested in going hiking or mountain biking with me. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and I made my way along the trails, passed by the visitor center, then around to discover even more trails and soon found one that led me to the massive rock formations.

A few rock climbers were working on their skills on various sections of the rocks. They all had the climbing gear with ropes and carabiners which I had never tried. No need, I enjoyed my free climbing and keeping things simple. So I continued around the large rock where there were fewer people. I looked up and found a crevice that stretched up and up and way up and somehow looked very inviting. In fact, I saw many great hand and foot holds that would allow me to easily get up a little ways and take in a better view.

I had no intention of going very far but the further up I went the more I found to explore and the thought of missing anything just a ways further just didn't play out in my mind, not to mention, the views were just spectacular. The rocks were so easy to climb up and having grown up in the western part of the state and adjoining states as well, I hiked quite often and climbed many rocks of various sizes and form. I would only go as far as I felt safe and if I had any concern of trouble I would turn back. So, this was no different and I just continued up the crevice and pretty soon I saw the famous Kissing Camels near the top. I wanted to get a better look, so I went a little further up and sat on top of the rock just behind them so I could get my old Kodak 110 camera out, snap a few shots and take in the incredible views. Sadly, I have no idea where those pictures went.

Wow! The people looked really tiny from this height. I looked all around and saw Pikes Peak on my right. I looked over to the left and saw the road that came into the park from another direction outside of Colorado Springs. The sky was clear and it was just beautiful. I sat there a bit longer when I noticed a few fire trucks coming down that very road and heading into the park. Oh no! I thought, someone got hurt. I wonder if it was one of the climbers on that large rock on the other side of the road from the one I was on. I had seen a few people climbing pretty high up with their ropes before I headed up myself.

I saw a few more service vehicles coming down the same road. I could no longer see them once they reached a certain point because the rock ledges I climbed up blocked any view from where they would have stopped. It was beginning to get late at this point and the sun would be going behind Pikes Peak soon so I figured it was time to head down. I gathered my camera and water bottle and started down the same way I came up. I came over a ledge when suddenly a few men wearing hard hats, reflective gear and carrying ropes appeared. They were climbing up toward me. I turned around to look at what I knew to be no one behind me as I was sure I didn't see anyone on my way up. They climbed up a little closer and with a puzzled look they stared at me before I asked, "Hello! There's no one behind me up there, is someone hurt?" They had confused looks on their faces, much like mine and said, "we're coming for you". I said, "Oh, uh me? Hmm... Why? I'm okay, not hurt or anything." One of them asked me, "did you not see the signs at the bottom of the rock that said no climbing above 10 feet without ropes?"

I honestly didn't see any signs, although I may have briefly glanced at what may have looked like signs but didn't exactly concentrate on what they said. I grew up in small towns and wasn't used to rules about climbing; I just climbed. I answered the bewildered gentleman, embarrassed now. "No, I'm sorry. I didn't see any signs." An awkward silence took place when I broke in and asked, "so, what now?" They answered, "Well, we have to escort you down the rock". I told them okay, no problem. They said "with a rope tied around you." "Oh!" I said. "Okay, that's fine," trying really hard to cooperate and not get into any more trouble.

The men looked really scared to be up on that crevice. Not sure how trained they were or how in shape either. A few looked a little overweight and appeared a bit too nervous to be rescuing anyone from this height. I waited patiently for them to secure the crazy woman on the rock so we could proceed down to the bottom where a huge crowd had formed by now. What kind of crazy catastrophe have I inadvertently created?

It was a very slow climb down. I had to wait for each man to get to a certain point before we could proceed and I would go a little too far at times and feel the pull of the rope around my waist which said to me, slow down. I would have easily been to my car and on my way by now, I thought. The further down we got the more eyes I felt on me as the crowd was eager to see what and who it was that sent several fire trucks and ambulances into the park. Near the bottom, one of the men told me I was lucky that if a park ranger had been around he would have fined me $50 for climbing above 10 feet. I thanked him for telling me and as soon as we made it to the bottom I thanked the crew, removed the rope from my waist, and swiftly worked my way in behind the bushes and trees far away from the commotion and back to my car, grateful I didn't run into a park ranger.

So, if you happen to find yourself at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colorado, you may just see a few more signs added around the park, likely spurred on by some crazy oblivious hiker. -Eichelle, "The Clueless Climber"