Gerald Herter, Integra International’s Audit & Accounting Alert newsletter editor, recently celebrated the 46th rendition of a time-honored team building tradition that he founded at his CPA firm more than four decades ago. This year’s “Death March,” as it is affectionately known, included hiking adventures in California’s San Jacinto Mountains near Idyllwild.
As retold in the introduction to Gerald Herter’s book, From Ledgers to Ledges:
Traumatic beginnings gave birth to the “Annual Death March,” a weekend backpacking adventure eagerly awaited by members and friends of…a seemingly all-business bunch of Certified Public Accountants. In 1979, several of them thought it would be fun to drive to the Sierra Nevada Mountains and then walk to the summit of Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in California. A whole weekend would be spent to make the hike especially easy. Obviously knowing nothing of backpacking in the rugged mountains at high altitudes, these fellows were lucky to survive this misadventure. Typical of their naiveté, they discovered at the last moment that a wilderness permit was needed. When none was available for the popular direct route to Mt. Whitney, they were not the least bit suspicious at the ease with which they were able to get a pass for an alternate route that turned what was to be a 20 mile hike into a 45 mile “Death March!” The rest is history.
Over the years, participants learned, often the hard way, the skills and preparation required to fully enjoy the natural wonders of America’s West. Destinations included nine river rafting trips, three island adventures, treks on horseback and sea-going vessels, through volcanic terrain, desert and seaside, along with a number of sojourns crisscrossing the farthest reaches of Yosemite, Sequoia, and Grand Canyon National Parks. They endured hot and cold, wet and dry, high and low, bears, rattlesnakes, a mountain lion, scorpions, a helicopter rescue, and a near fall from a cliff.
Along the way, stories were shared with fellow adventurers at remote wilderness lodges. They hiked with rangers, one of whom helped them to slow down, while showing them how to match up their diverse personalities to distinct tree groups, such as quaking aspen and lodgepole pine. They paddled with river guides who deciphered mysteries, like that of the multi-hued layers of rock spanning billions of years of time on canyon walls. Most of all, they learned to revere nature. Each experience taught them new ways to work together, depend on one another and value the special bond that deepened with each passing year.
This year was no different. Eleven eager participants, ranging in age from 10 years to 79 years old converged at Idyllwild Inn in Southern California for a welcome reception on July 25, 2024.
The next morning, the hikers in the group started out from the Ernie Maxwell Trailhead, hiking five miles out and back mostly through woods, with a view of 7,528-foot Suicide Rock in the distance. The rock is named for a legend whereby two native American lovers jumped to their deaths from the rock rather than agreeing to separate. The coolness of the morning helped make the hike pleasant. The hike finished back at the Inn at 10:00 am.
The rest of the morning and afternoon were filled with the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics on TV. Lunch at 11:30 took place at the Peak Restaurant at Tahquitz Pines Retreat, consisting of tacos and chicken sandwiches, while a chicken dinner there was at 6:30 followed by more Olympics viewing. Bedtime came at 10:00 pm.
The following day, hikers were up at 5:00 am. They met at 5:45 for a breakfast of ham & cheese croissants and coffee, after which they drove to the Panorama Trailhead near the Nature Center and hiked the Panorama Trail. There were eleven participants in all. The grandeur of forested mountains and valleys were viewed along the way. About 4 miles were covered in the sunny weather with temperature in the 70’s.
After visiting the Nature Center, lunch was in town at a place called Gastronome. The group relaxed in the afternoon, while some swam in the pool or watched the Olympics. The USA men’s volleyball team beat Argentina. Dinner at 6 pm was held at Idyllwild Pizza Company.
On Sunday, July 28, group members were up at 6:45 am. The sun peaked over the mountains at 7:13 am for a bright and clear morning. Breakfast took place at 7:30 at the Red Kettle. The final departure for home was at 8:30 am. A great time was had by all.
