The Firn Line

I first met Tom Sardy in the summer of 1998.  My recollection is that I was camped under the granite towers of Archangel Valley in Hatcher Pass, when my friend Zach arrived, with Tom in tow, for a day of rock climbing.Zach and I had met just a few months prior, when we’d spent three weeks guiding clients up the west buttress of Denali.  We’d become instant friends on the trip, and I was glad to be climbing out in the real world with Zach, and his friend Tom.It must have been July, as the days were long, and the sun was powerful.  I have memories of hiking up a mossy, Tolkien-esque valley, to a prominent rock band that was split by 2 striking cracks where we climbed all afternoon.  What I remember about that day is that we laughed a lot.  And even though Tom seemed a bit shy and introverted, it was clear he was comfortable with Zach - and me as well.  Like a lot of days back then, it was a memorable moment in the mountains - being young and healthy, and just simply climbing for the pure joy of it - with friend