The Great Gift of Life

George Mallory

George Mallory is famously said to have replied to the NY Times question “why do you want to climb Mt. Everest?” with the response: “because it is there”.

This newspaper quote is mountaineering’s most famous sound bite because it provides objective, undeniable evidence of the insanity of those who seek high places.

But does it?

Even if he actually said it, there was depth to the thought, as George also reportedly said:

“… the struggle is the struggle of life itself upward and forever upward…”

“To struggle and to understand — never this last without the other; such is the law.”

Perhaps George was speaking for all people who find that being among the high peaks opens a window into the rapture of being alive. For those people, myself included, it is only when applying our whole body (i.e., body & mind) to overcoming hard physical efforts, challenging mental puzzles, and stressful emotional situations do we begin to understand and feel the great gift of life.

Rapture on Antero (Colorado)

From this perspective, we don’t view a mountain as an opponent that needs to be defeated or a monster awaiting a meal.  Instead, we use the mountain environment to enjoy the simple pleasures in life and find the self-esteem that comes of achieving difficult goals while avoiding the emotional traps that encourage us take irresponsible chances with our life.

So, because “they are there,” the high peaks are the perfect playground for big kids to become the kind of person we always wanted to be:  proud of self, respectful of danger, a master of fear, and happy in life.

This site includes a series of essays (see overview) that examine the process of reaching for safe success atop the high peaks and a series of trip reports.  And go to Rules, Laws, etc. to see my own Maxims, Rules, Sayings and other “things to remember” with the related individual essay linked to the category heading.