If Only I could Have Reached Farther.. 
The day started out like most; I woke up and got ready for work. It’s been about 12 years since I started working at the Audubon Center as a hiking instructor. So I packed my duffle bag and laced my timberland trail boots, filled my water bottle and set off to the Audubon. I had a decent group of hikers most days, but as I pulled into the Parking Lot at the beginning of the trails I saw that today I had over 20 people. I parked the car and greeted the large group, quickly coming to the conclusion that most of them were teenage misfits, probably just doing this to get out of a day at school. I explained just like always that the woods were deep, dark, and dangerous, but as long as everyone stays together and quiet they would love the adventure. While most of the misfits were glued to their phones during directions, we set out on our trail. The trail guide read Cliff Valley (Watch for moving rock). We climbed at a steady pace; most of the group stayed on route with no problems. As we came to an opening on the path, the trail lead along a cliff that went straight down to a rushing river. I explained to everyone to stay tight to the rock wall and go sideways down the path. I looked back to assess that the group had followed my direction as we proceeded. Then I saw one of the teenagers walking straight, with his eyes closed, showing off to his friends. I opened my mouth as the rock path below him cracked and bursted into pieces, cutting loose on him and sending him for a  fall. I rushed, weaving in between the others, trying to reach the young boy. When I got to the edge I looked down and, horrified, saw that he was about 8 feet down, dangling from a branch. I took my climbing anchor out and tied my rope to it, hooked the harness around myself and lowered down, trying to reach for him...all the while he’s losing his grip and sweating more and more by the second. With just an inch to go, he slipped off the branch, just as I made it low enough to snag him. But not close enough… his last second slip sent him straight down to the river rock bed. If only I could have reached farther, maybe if I already had the rope tied to the rock spike...maybe….