Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
MOAB — Crystal Fields has always admired photos of Delicate Arch. She’s always dreamed of experiencing the arch in person.
"I never made it in my childhood. It was something I have longed to do,” Fields said.
Getting to Delicate Arch requires a three-mile round trip hike through steep and difficult terrain.
But upon a recent diagnosis of terminal cancer, Fields believed in her weakened condition, she would never get to see it in person.
“When I moved to the neighborhood three years ago, Crystal was the first person who ran over to say hi,” Kara Cottle said.
Cottle has hiked to Delicate Arch many times before and along with some of her friends, decided to make Fields' dream come true.
“Crystal was a trooper. She walked along part of the way before we had to carry her,” Cottle said.
Fields’ friends and her mother packed along a makeshift stretcher: two PVC pipes and an old quilt.
“The first three seconds that we lifted it, I was like, this is not going to work,” said Chrissy Richards.
The four women started carrying Fields, but when they hit the slick rock, the journey got a bit tough.
Elan Maynez was hiking with some friends and together with some Italian tourists, took over carrying Fields to the arch.
“It was pretty obvious they needed some help,” Maynez said.
"It was so inspiring to see strangers step up and help,” Monique Rowe said. “It was so exciting to see the beaming smile on her face.”
Fields made it to Delicate Arch just before sunset Friday, the night of the full moon.
“I was happy to see her there because seeing her struggle the first little bit before I got there, I was worried that she wouldn't make it,” Maynez said.
For Fields, fulfilling her dream helped to heal her soul.
"The moment of standing there and seeing it was so inspiring," she said. "I honestly just had to sit and watch it for a while before I was ready to approach it. It was that inspiring.”
A quiet and majestic moment, made possible by good neighbors and new friends, who helped to make one of her dying wishes to come true.
