Page 56 of Canyon Killer
The next weekspassed in a blur full of packed days at Peak Jeep, training once or twice a week with search and rescue, call-outs for auto accidents and injured climbers, and not nearly enough time with Ian, since he was busy also. But one Monday in late July, he called her. “Are you free one afternoon this week?” he asked. “The via ferrata is finished. I want you to see it.”
“That’s wonderful! We can get together this afternoon.”
They agreed he would pick her up at four o’clock, and she ended the call. “What are you looking so happy about?” her mom asked.
“Ian’s coming to pick me up after work. The via ferrata is finished.”
The lines on her mother’s forehead deepened, but she said nothing.
“Don’t look like that, Mom. Ian is a great guy.”
“And I can see that you really care for him. You’ve always been so quick to give your heart. I’d hate to see you hurt again.”
Bethany started to protest that Ian wasn’t going to hurt her, but she already knew that wasn’t true. He probably wouldn’t mean to hurt her, but when he moved on from Eagle Mountain, she was going to be left with a hole in her heart. “I’m old enough to know that life isn’t all fairy tales and happy endings,” she said. “But I’m enjoying being with Ian right now.”
She was waiting when he pulled up to the Jeep rental office, and they headed for Humboldt Canyon. “I can’t believe it’s finished already,” she said.
“There are a few things I need to do before we can open to the public, but the climbing route is complete. I can’t wait to see what you think.”
She told herself she would act impressed, even though, as a non-climber, she might not share his excitement.
Ian parked by the trailer and led her to a cleared-off space deeper into the canyon. “Here is where we’ll have the welcome center,” he said. “I’m going to bring in a modular building once I have approval from the county. That will be trimmed out with rustic wood and rock to look like it’s been here for decades. Once climbers register, they’ll attend a mandatory safety briefing and sign a liability waiver and an agreement to wear the safety equipment at all times and abide by the rules.”
He walked to a section of canyon wall behind the welcome center site. “Over here will be a practice area for anyone who wants to familiarize themselves with basic techniques before they tackle the course. I’m thinking we’ll have some field days for kids, too, where they can get an intro to climbing and try out some of the simpler features.”
“That sounds about my speed,” Bethany said. She followed him along the canyon wall to a rock wall studded with iron pins.
“The main route begins here. You’ll start by clipping onto the safety cable there.” He indicated a steel cable. “Cables run the length of the route, and at every transition point you’ll clip onto a new section of cable. In case of a fall, the cable will catch you.”
He led her through the canyon, pointing out iron ladders, rungs, bridges and cabled walkways. The route took climbers up steep pitches and along narrow ledges.
“It looks like a pretty challenging climb,” she said.
“The idea is to give people a challenge but make it as safe as possible.” He glanced down at the dress and sandals she was wearing. “I should have thought to tell you to bring jeans and boots and could have given you a guided tour.”
“We’ll do that some other time,” she said.
“I’ve sent off the photographs you chose to be made into plaques,” he said. “I’m going to attach the plaques to the wall at various transition points. People can read about the history of the area.”
“Everything looks great,” she said when they reached the end of the route. She squeezed his arm. “People are going to be so excited once they see this.”
“I’m going to throw a party to thank everyone who has helped to bring this together,” he said. “The construction crew, county officials, law enforcement, search and rescue, local climbers. I already contacted Danny about having search and rescue tour the route, maybe even do some training here to familiarize yourselves with the layout.”
“Have you heard anything from the county about your operating permit?” she asked.
“There has to be a public hearing and an official vote before they can award the permit,” he said. “I’ve been speaking with the commissioners and county officials. They seem receptive at least. And I’m going to make a presentation to the commissioners at the hearing.”
“You’ll impress them, I’m sure.” At least, he would impress everyone except Walt Spies. But Walt was only one vote.
Ian put his arm around her. “I want to take you to dinner to celebrate,” he said. “I made reservations at Spruce Lodge.”
Spruce Lodge was a new inn high in the mountains with a restaurant that was already becoming known for fine dining. The restaurant itself was small and rustic, with stone-and-cedar walls and subtle lighting. White linen cloths and shining silver added to the atmosphere of elegance.
This was the kind of place Ian was used to dining in, Bethany thought as she studied the menu. A place where price was no obstacle. “This is amazing,” she said a short time later as she cut into her steak.
“It’s good, but I enjoyed soup and sandwiches with you just as much,” he said.
On the drive back to the canyon, he took her hand. “Can you stay for a while?” he asked.
