No one
was overwhelmed by the 800-ft ascent. We all made it out safely
(except for a couple of close encounters with cacti). No rattlesnakes this year either.
The answer to the question: That's Austin front and center. He packed in alone after dark 3 miles to camp, talking all the while with his father on the rim via 2-meter radio. It was a demonstration of scout ability and courage seldom seen. And, perfectly safe. We first saw him several hundred meters away at ~9 PM as a single light approaching us through the darkness along the river trail. Scouting is fun!