Hayden Waterfall Descent

Pathfinder's Ascent

Pathfinder (Chuck Hayden) climbs the showering force of Bridle Vail Falls

Although the beauty of Bridle Vail Falls suggests an ambitious serenity, I found it to be aggressively deceiving. The ascending of these falls would certainly be preferred in the quiet peace of the winter when its proud water stops ascending and resolves to present itself as an ancient ice formation that would be much easier to climb with crampons and ice picks. But today climbing these falls meant nimble feet on slippery rocks and the frigid pounding bursts of roaring water. The thing about climbing in a waterfall is the startlingly refreshing weight of its descent. Today it was much like a wrestling match, in which I was no match for the dauntingly consistent aquatic prowess of this majestic queen. I climbed down, felt the rush of her cold water, and retreated to the comfort of the Agawa River (the world's longest portage.)

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