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Message: <blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 9704097" data-attributes="member: 3285">Day 7 began before dawn with the roaring wind. At 3:30 a.m., the wind bellowed so loudly it was hard to think, though mercifully it never reached our tents. Fearing we'd be blown off the mountain peak trying to scale the Tooth of Time, our leaders decided to wait it out for another hour.In Dungeons & Dragons, a strong wind imposes disadvantage on ranged weapon attack rolls and Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing. A strong wind also extinguishes open flames, disperses fog, and makes flying by nonmagical means nearly impossible. A flying creature in a strong wind must land at the end of its turn or fall.The delay proved fortuitous, as at 4:30 a.m., the wind storm died down and early morning light made it possible to see what we were climbing. Having been drilled by our Ranger to prepare for <a href="https://pandius.com/mtlion5e.html" target="_blank">mountain lion</a> attacks in the dark, our trailing leader wore a headlamp facing backward to discourage any attacks from behind, despite some staff differing on the necessity. We filed out, seeing other crews making the same ascent towards Tooth Ridge.[ATTACH=full]411199[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]411200[/ATTACH] The Tooth of Time in the distance.The climb was hard. The rocks were so steep that hiking poles were impossible, and we carried only our day packs, sweatshirts, hats, and gloves. The sun slowly began to peak as we ascended, taking frequent breaks, climbing on hands and knees up the rough cliff face.Climbing in Dungeons & Dragons costs double the normal movement speed, with occasional Strength (Athletics) checks (I like to call for three, with DCs 10, 12, and 15, though it could be higher for more powerful parties). Of course, some groups could simply fly or teleport up there, but the Drakentand might prohibit such transportation due its peculiar nature.Despite concerns about our pace, we made it in time for the payoff: the glorious sun cresting over the horizon. We all cheered, huddled atop the Tooth of Time, having achieved our goal. We were exhausted but triumphant. This was a personal comeback story for me, fulfilling a promise to myself after <a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/rpg-evolution-hike-like-a-hero.704924/" target="_blank">failing to scale Tuckerman's Ravine</a> due to altitude sickness. It was also a significant milestone shared with my son as he prepared for college.[ATTACH=full]411201[/ATTACH] The Tooth of Time ... getting closer...[ATTACH=full]411202[/ATTACH] We did it! The sunrise from atop the Tooth of Time!What goes up must come down. We clambered slowly, painfully, and carefully down the rock face back to camp. After packing up, it was time for our longest hike yet: the return to Basecamp.The trek from Tooth Ridge to Camping HQ spanned 6.7 miles, involving a massive 2,461 feet of descent after an 858-foot gain. This was both our longest day in mileage and our biggest descent, making the sustained downhill very taxing on knees and quads. We knew we needed to pace ourselves carefully. We had summited the Tooth of Time at 9,003 feet and now had to hike all the way back into base camp for our closing campfire.The switchbacks down the slope, while technically easier, were grueling in their own way. We kept getting glimpses of Basecamp, seeing it slowly grow larger, but it felt like it took forever to reach. Finally, we stumped our way into the final leg, passing beneath an arch where we celebrated our arrival. Once in camp, we turned in our borrowed equipment, washed our leased tents, and headed for blessed showers that we hadn't been able to take in a week. Then came the simple joys of shaving and wearing deodorant again.[ATTACH=full]411203[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]411204[/ATTACH]Was it worth it? Absolutely.[ATTACH=full]411205[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]411206[/ATTACH] Home again, home again, jiggety jig.Whether I could do it again is less certain; the hike took an immense physical toll on me. Yet, it was a profound final milestone, celebrated with my son, who had recently become an Eagle Scout, achieved his third-degree black belt in Taekwondo, graduated high school and his theater program, got a job, and turned 18 before heading off to college. It was a shared triumph to cherish.Other parents often ask me how I feel about him going to college. But after he and I huddled in the freezing cold together as I was shivering from the beginnings of hypothermia, everything else seems a lot simpler. He'll be alright. And I will be too. We only got the penguin joke the staff member told us <a href="https://puzzling.stackexchange.com/questions/122876/two-penguins-canoeing-through-the-desert" target="_blank">until much later</a>.<h3>Philmont Adventure Log</h3>For the full journey, see the rest of the series:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/rpg-evolution-philmont-adventures-day-0.714308/" target="_blank">Day 0</a></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/rpg-evolution-philmont-adventures-day-1.714309/" target="_blank">Day 1</a></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/rpg-evolution-philmont-adventures-day-2.714312/" target="_blank">Day 2</a></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/rpg-evolution-philmont-adventures-day-3.714313/" target="_blank">Day 3</a></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/rpg-evolution-philmont-adventures-day-4.714314/" target="_blank">Day 4</a></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/rpg-evolution-philmont-adventures-day-5.714319/" target="_blank">Day 5</a></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/rpg-evolution-philmont-adventures-day-6.714320/" target="_blank">Day 6</a></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/rpg-evolution-philmont-adventures-day-7.714321/" target="_blank">Day 7</a></li> </ul></blockquote>

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