Geode rubble

We took the tram to Rendezous Summit (10,650 feet / 3185 meters) among the Grand Tetons, and stumbled around (breathing heavily) in geode rubble. The mountains, once under sea (billions of years ago) are lined and pocked with clear quartz crystals. Even the tiniest bits of rubble are encrusted with crystals, and we each brought home a handful of tiny shattered geodes.

There were several groups of twenty-somethings about to go for long and arduous hikes UP from 10,650 feet. We eavesdropped on one group as they talked about their GPS, about cell phone coverage, about bear spray (there are grizzlies in them hills!), and about the fact that, owing to the drought this summer, they are forbidden to build camp fires. They set out as we sat gaping, their carefully chosen, high-tech packs loaded, their blue plastic water-sipping straws accessible. The two girls wore short skirts. One was in ordinary street sneakers, not hiking boots. When they launched themselves, the sky was partly cloudy, but four hours later a thick cold front swallowed up the mountains completely in heavy gray impenetrable weather. A thunderstorm crashed and banged like the drums of hell. Rain came in drops as heavy as rocks. Like the grandmothers we are, we worried about the young ones up there. Sue imagined, "Some of them will decide they're never going to do that again, that it's madness. Others will say, 'Bring it on! It's an adventure!'"