I love all kinds of adventure, but getting on the peaks of big mountains always has the strongest pull.  Since big mountains carry significant risk, especially for novices such as myself, I often get the question – why climb?

At first, my best answer was borrowed from George Mallory, “because it’s there.”  Upon further reflection, I found that is still quite an honest answer, but there is more within that answer than those 3 simple words.  I think every time I glance upon a peak, I see an irresistible microcosm for life before me.  One that my curiosity holds captive until I’ve journeyed my way up and over.  It’s as if, I have to know how this story compares to my own story as it coincidentally becomes part of mine.

Hiking, climbing and mountaineering each have elements of life that draw me to them: the excitement and anticipation before the start of the journey, the imagination of what the top will reveal, the reality of my own humanity (fatigue, injury, pain & smallness) and nature’s apathy toward my plight.  The reward of overcoming trials to reach triumph and the feeling of my heart beat to the drum of the human spirit.  The primitive spirit that beckons us to go forward, to overcome, to know the unknown and to push oneself to our limits.

Each return down the mountain pushes my body against the weakness of my mind.  Only the desire to survive can overpower and push me forward as strength outlasts weakness.  Each time I glance back at the top of that mountain, I’m overcome by the humility of knowing how many factors never in my control showed favor on me during my climb.

However, one of my favorite aspects of climbing a mountain is climbing it with friends.  It doesn’t matter if you were friends or not before you started this common adventure as you’ll soon have a unique bond that will be yours to keep.  Perhaps it’s that common bond that brings us together, but more often than not, I believe it’s the sharing of the journey.

People find strength and encouragement in others.  These powerful moments of struggle and success are best shared.  The bigger the mountain, the greater these moments and the stronger the connection that forms among us.  These people on the mountain make for unforgettable moments and stories we’ll each take with us forever.

So why do I climb?

I climb, because for me, the mountains is where life, including mine, is lived.  Everything you can experience in a lifetime can be felt on a mountain where the backdrop of your play can be the most stunning array of nature’s beauty that refuses to be shunned.  It is here, generally in the cold air void of the oxygen I’m used to having, that I feel most alive.  Filled with the pure, simple love for all of what life has become for me…here on the mountain.