Gym Cracks By Jim June 11, 2003 CRAZY HORSE "FUN" A rainy, snowy climb of Crazy Horse Monument in the name of fun By Jim (Babe) Berryman MissingNebraska.com Western Nebraska After returning from Crazy Horse Monument this past weekend, I consulted the dictionary. Webster's definition of fun is "A source of amusement, enjoyment or pleasure." My brother-in-law convinced me that I should have some "fun." Why not climb Crazy Horse Monument was a question he posed to me several times. I finally consented to have some "fun." My brother-in-law, Harvey, drove from York, NE. to Torrington, WY, to pick up his passenger, so we could have some "fun." On Friday, the two of us drove 160-miles to Custer, SD. Saturday morning we ate breakfast at 5:30 a.m. Harvey, who had climbed Crazy Horse four previous times, indicated we should be at the site early in order to get a choice parking spot instead of having to walk some distance. We arrived at the parking area at 6:30 a.m. By arriving at this time, we secured a parking place close to the start of the event, but had to cool our heels by waiting 90-minutes in 32-degree weather for the climb to begin. We did have the opportunity to visit with other people while we waited for the command to begin this "fun" trek. People from several states were in our immediate area; included were many veterans of this walk. The first couple miles participants walk through a forest area, down deep ravines and back up trails where rocks made the treading difficult, just to make it more "fun." About thirty minutes into the walk/climb, a cold rain started. Now I was really having "fun." Suddenly we exited the forest and there stood Crazy Horse Monument, 6800-feet above sea level. At this stage, walkers did join a road to the summit, but the ascent was steep. By now it was snowing. Whenever my heart monitor reached 142, I would stop and rest. My companion for part of the monument ascent was a man from North Carolina, much younger, but much heavier. We talked about North Carolina/Duke basketball between gasps. At the summit, my Tarheel fellow-survivor and I exchanged taking pictures of each other. By this time the snow was so heavy that it was impossible to see the parking lot below. It was definitely more "fun" going down than up. Hundreds of people were still on their ascent. In 2002, over 15,000 people took the Crazy Horse challenge (10 K-6.2 miles) during either the Saturday or Sunday of this organized event. Possibly the weather conditions reduced the number this year as the official number has not yet been posted. So, let me get this straight. We drove 160-miles to the site, paid for one night's lodging and two meals, paid a $3.00 fee ($7.00 if you wanted a medal), to walk up a hill/mountain in a cold rain and snow to have some "fun." This wasn't Webster's definition of "fun." Feedback Previous Gym Cracks: 05-31-03: Friends For Life Gym Cracks By Jim 05-19-03: Spurs And Cubs Gym Cracks By Jim 04-29-03: L.A. Delay Gym Cracks By Jim 04-16-03: What's In A Nickname? Gym Cracks By Jim 03-28-03: More March Madness Gym Cracks By Jim 03-14-03: March To Remember Gym Cracks By Jim 03-07-03: Tall & Tough Gym Cracks By Jim 02-26-03: Zingerland Gym Cracks By Jim 02-19-03: Cuss The Bus Gym Cracks By Jim 02-09-03: Ratings And Recruiting Gym Cracks By Jim 01-31-03: Hoops Elite Gym Cracks By Jim 01-24-03: Nebraska's Super Connection Gym Cracks By Jim 01-15-03: Hometown Hits Big Time Gym Cracks By Jim 2002 12-30-02: Count The Numbers Gym Cracks By Jim 12-18-02: Cream Of Coaching Crop Gym Cracks By Jim 11-28-02: The Big Picture Gym Cracks By Jim 11-18-02: 2 For 2 Gym Cracks By Jim 10-25-02: Sweet On Switzer Gym Cracks By Jim 10-17-02: Best Time Year Gym Cracks By Jim 10-11-02: Odds And Ends Gym Cracks By Jim 10-04-02: The Rating Game Gym Cracks By Jim 09-22-02: Fans Panned Gym Cracks By Jim 09-12-02: World Herald Calling Gym Cracks 09-05-02: Bit By Baseball Bug Gym Cracks 08-29-02: Caring Coaches Gym Cracks 08-22-02: Nebraska "Storm" Hits Colorado Gym Cracks 08-15-02: Cubs Win, Wallet Drained Gym Cracks 08-08-02: To Coors For Cubs Gym Cracks 07-25-02: Major League Madness Gym Cracks 07-18-02: Nebraskans In The Majors Gym Cracks 07-11-02: Kile Death Sheds Light Gym Cracks 07-04-02: Couch Potato Parking Gym Cracks 06-23-02: Top 10 Nebraska High School Nicknames Gym Cracks 06-06-02: Better In The 50s Gym Cracks 05-30-02: Dangerfield of Nebraska Gym Cracks 05-16-02: Baseball Sneak Aways Gym Cracks