He knew it would be difficult, but he was young and this might be the last time he could take this sort of risk before settling down.

He had picked up a solid pair of Himalayan walking shorts, and with luck found a tailor that could add the orange VT to the right leg. He figured the beloved VT would give him the energy to conquer the mountain.

As any wise athlete would do he hired an experienced sherpa guide to coach him the the summit.

Unfortunately his guide soon discover Will had a mind of his own and would not listen to his guidance at each stage of the climb. Instead of following the best trail, Will would zig and cut at wild angles as he speedily managed to make progress up the mountain. He did not follow the game plan of his guide.

Often Will would tire as this difficult climb sapped him of energy. But Will would just look down at the orange VT on his maroon Himalayan walking shorts and grind a few more yards up the steep face of the mountain.

Will would shock the guide by trying to throw his gear to a higher ledge above where he was. Will deduced he would lighten his load by doing so. But his throwing motion was not quite as good as his younger but not as swift brother, and he would sometimes miss the ledge when attempting a long throw to a higher level.

Just as you thought he would give up Will down deep to finally touchdown at the summit. He planted the Hokie flag at the top, looked down proudly at his Himalayan walking short's VT, and did the Hokie Pokie.

At least that's what he told me as he tried to convince me to part with $60 for a pair of VT shorts