Prec-i-pice [pres-uh-pis]

1. A cliff with a vertical, nearly vertical or overhanging face.

Each of the past several years we seem to have an adventure in Maine. Hiking, blueberry picking, rope swings and swimming in random ponds, sea kayaking, etc. Common to each adventure has been Paul and Donna. They live here in Owl's Head. We have known Paul and Donna for about 5 years now, and although we rarely have any contact with them when we're at home, our time with them here is increasingly open and comfortable. They're close friends.

Donna grew up in the Bar Harbor area. That's where she met Paul during their time at College of the Atlantic. After school they bought a house there. They still have family in the area. They know the Mount Desert Island area very well, and they wanted to take us up for a day. The chance to see Acadia and other spots around the area is something that we've always talked about doing, and the chance to spend a day with two people who know and love the area so well was a no-brainer.

They picked us up a seven, a detail that Paul insisted was necessary in order to beat the traffic. The two hour drive along Route 1 can stretch out tremendously on summer days. After a quick stop at McDonalds for coffee and Frappes, we were underway. Once in Bar Harbor, we made a quick stop at their son's house, where Donna wanted to drop off a few things and hug the grandkids. Then we headed to the beltway that runs through Acadia.

Initially Paul's suggested agenda for the day was very loose. He loves to hike (and as we have learned, climb), so walking in the park seemed like an obvious activity. Kim declined the chance to hike on the park trails, preferring to ride with Donna to see some of the beaches and spots like Thunder Hole. So Paul, Nate, Abbie and I got dropped of at a parking lot near a trail head. After exchanging some insider lingo about our route and destination with Donna, Paul led us up the trail as the ladies drove away.

Paul had asked some questions about how each of us felt about heights and steep areas. Assuming that this was similar to other hiking experiences that I've had, I didn't make much of his questions. I know from hiking in the Adirondacks that I feel uncomfortable on high ledges, so I just stay back away from the edge. I also understand that steep trails are tiring. This all seemed like good perspective to have before setting out. Fortunately, I didn't really understand at all.

When we reached the top an hour or so later, a sign posted there drew a subtle but important distinction between this trail and others that I have been on; this was climb, not a hike.

A quick Google search lead me to this information this morning.

This is the most challenging and well known hiking trail in Acadia National Park with an exposed and almost vertical 1,000 foot climbup the east face of Champlain Mountain. The trail is only recommended for physically fit and experienced hikers who have no fear of heights. The Precipice parking area is at the base of the Precipice cliff on the east side of Mount Desert Island about 1 mile north of the Schooner Head entrance fee station on the Park Loop Road. We suggest that you do not hike this trail alone and that you verify weather conditions before the climb.

The hiking trail has many rungs and ladders along the trail's length and is approximately 1.6 mile/2.6 km round trip

Sometimes it's better if we don't understand what we're about to do. Of course, this approach can often lead to disastrous consequences, but in this situation, we were in good hands. Paul is an experienced hiker and he knows this trail very, very well. He proved to be an excellent coach and guardian through the whole event. I'll admit I was quite anxious at times, but oddly, I never experienced any real sense of fear.

One of the amazing gifts of this experience was watching Nate and Abbie. During this hour I came to a much greater understanding that Nate doesn't fear things the way that I do. I guess that should have been obvious after raising him for 15 years, but it wasn't. Not only was he not afraid of the climb, at times, his bravery added to my anxiety. At one point, Paul made it clear to Nate that part of making the event less stressful for me was exercising caution and restraint to minimize my worrying.

When we were nearly at the summit, Paul took a detour, leading Nate off the trail to a 20 foot vertical wall of rock. He asked me if it was okay to have Nate "free climb" it. Although I was aware that a fall from this wall might result in a fairly serious injury, there was no danger of Nate falling to a lower or more dangerous spot than where they were standing. I trust Paul, and he said that he would spot Nate, so I said, "yes." Nate struggled to get started, but within a few minutes was about 8 feet off the ground. At that point Paul discouraged Nate from going any further unless he was comfortable. Nate pressed on, but Abbie and I left that spot to return to the trail. Before we were able to get back to the trail and climb to the ledge above Nathan, I heard his victory cry. When we arrived, he was standing on the ledge beaming.

Within a few minutes our party reached the summit. There was quite a crowd there, most of whom were gathered around the sign post that directs hikers (and climbers) to the trails leading off of the mountain. Paul spent some time acting as an advisor to folks who weren't exactly sure what they should do.

After several minutes there, I told Abbie how impressed I was and asked if she had been nervous during the climb. To my surprise, she told me that she had nearly thrown up. Even now, I'm getting choked up thinking about that. She really amazes me. She never hesitated, complained or whined. She just pressed through it. When I commented on how impressive that was, she told me, "What choice did I have?" Her question seemed free of resentment, but instead, strikingly mature. She seemed to be saying, "This is what had to be done. Whining about it wasn't going to change anything."

I hope to write more later about the rest of our day. For now, it's important to me to have a record of this event. I'm continually grateful for our time in Maine. Our ongoing relationship with this place and the people we meet here has given us countless experiences (and challenges) that we simply would not have anywhere else. As I watched Kim and the kids on the beach several hours later, it was hard not to wish that I could freeze the moment. We're a team here. Everyone was content and having a good time. We're blessed people.

-- Our climb took place on Thursday, August 19, the date on this post. I added most of this text the following morning.