Gear return success stories (i.e. happy outcomes)

Since the thread (in the Eastern States forum) on what constitutes good practice for return of found gear has degenerated into legal semantics, I figured I'd start a new thread specifically for folks to share their experiences with lost/stuck/abandoned gear finding its way back home.

I'll start - Maybe 10 years ago, my rack was short one cam at the end of the day. I accused my partner of dropping it, but he didn't. I went back to the route that we did and looked high (I rapped the whole route) and low (scoured the ground). No luck. A couple weeks later a friend mentioned in passing that his wife found a cam in that area. I was able to describe mine, including a few modifications and characteristic wear features. He realized I was describing the cam his wife found, and returned it to me.

Last year I walked away from my entire rack at the base of a popular crag. Didn't realize it until several hours later. Ran back to the morning's spot - no rack. Got pissed and sad. End of day bumped into the guys that climbed next to us at the AM spot and they immediately returned the rack to me. One cam, the newest one, was missing (which I didn't notice til I got home), and while I don't think it was intentional on their part, I was more than happy to concede that to them as a "finders' fee" for the return of the rest of the rack.

I got to the top and no rap anchor. Wife was terrified during the approach so she passed on the ice climbing. She was way too worried about slipping and ending up down past the train tracks. So here I am thinking I'm badass so I use one 6mm cord to rap from. I don't have rings or webbing and I'm dumb. So I rap.. I get to Kathy just as she's starting to shiver. I tell her I'll belay her down to railroad tracks when it hits me.. I left my tools in the snow next to the tree I rapped from. Right after someone yells up "you guys finished?" I tell them what I did and the gentleman tells me he'll bring them down after they're finished. Perfect!! I lower Kathy to the tracks and she starts talking to the two guys. After a minute she yells "it's Brad White and you can pick your tools up at IME at 5;30!" I run down to them and must of thanked Brad like ten times. The first plan was for Kathy to hike back to my truck to keep warm while I waited for my tools.

We ate at this place in Bartlett on the way back to North Conway. I got a gift certificate in the amount of what it cost us to eat dinner there. I gave to Mr White with the same appreciation everyone who's lost something has.