We then had to bring up the two 300' ropes out of the hole, collect all of the additional ropes, and gear and walk back down to the deer hauler, load it up and roll back to the cars.  Upon touching road pavement once again, a rescue truck with two responders arrived on scene.  It was 8:00 p.m.  They were the advance unit to find out what would actually be needed.  We had a great time talking and thanked them profusely.  They said, "This is no rescue. You climbed out."

Upon arriving at Thorn Spring Park, the girls went over to Leah and Eddie and told them what a good job they had done in calling for rescue.  After that, it was a quick walk to Grant and Edna's bar where we powered down a few beers and then back to the cabin for a good night's sleep.

I got up the next morning at 6:30 a.m. and walked down to the river to fly fish, caught five fish and came back to the cabin at 8:00 a.m. only to find everyone still asleep but Pat gone as he had to be back at Newport News to work that evening.

Betsy and Joedy Hauling

Pat climbing out on his own.