We are on one of our last hikes in the Columbia River Gorge and are climbing steeply to Ponytail Falls. We come around a switchback and pass a family heading down. Their small child is in major meltdown. We move a few yards up the trail and spot a small stuffed bear hanging precariously below the trail over the gorge. I look back and through hand gestures with the mom understand the reason for the meltdown. I get a good hand and foot hold, and using the backpack as an extension Melissa scrambles down to rescue the stranded bear! We broke all of the rules of rock climbing anchors (sorry Chris B. you would have been pissed!), but sometimes you need to do the right thing.
