Summit Day

Certainly all my fossil friends, and even some of the younger generation know of my penchant for fruitcake. On every serious trip or route it is a staple of Hock's diet, and a sure bet to come along on the summit attempt. Indeed at 3,000 calories per pound, it packs a wallop. The stories of gas laden fruitcake on the West Rib of Denali in the 1970s, or Michael Franklin biting off the top of an "Old Fashioned Claxton Fruit Cake" at the top of the Black Dike on Cannon, swallowing it in one gulp, plastic wrapping and all. Most of you also know that on Christmas Day there is always at least one package underneath the tree. So, even though I'll be toting GU along, you know what I'll be munching on the summit of Huandoy.