No Shortcuts to the Top: Climbing the World's 14 Highest Peaks by Ed Viesturs with David Roberts
"I've learned in climbing that you don't conquer anything. Mountains are not conquered and should be treated with respect and humility. If we take what the mountain gives, have patience, and desire, and are prepared, then the mountains will allow us to reach their highest peaks. I believe a lot of things are like that in life." --Ed Viesturs, from "No Shortcuts to the Top"
I like that he uses the phrase "will allow us to reach." Allowing is very much different than conquering. Apparently, as a climber in the Himalaya, you have to be very patient, waiting many days to make the ascent at the right time when the mountain and the weather allows.
Why do you do it? Ed writes, "The non-mountaineer watching my slide show sees mostly suffering, cold, risk, and even loss-of-life. Simply by nature, I'm extremely goal-oriented and personally motivated. I like things that aren't not too easy; that don't come to quickly. The mountains are a beautiful arena in which to face such challenges. On top of that you face them with a few carefully chosen friends who have similar goals, aspirations, and work ethics. A great climb is a wonderful mixture of difficulty and intimacy. The challenge is both physical and mental. Finally big-range mountaineering is addictive."
There are a number of interesting elements to this book that appeal to the outdoorsman in me. However, it doesn't make me want to become a mountain climber! It does however offer interesting thoughts for my outdoor travels. Even beyond that though there are life-lessons. It is a story of setting goals, overcoming obstacles both big and small, taking one step at a time, figuring out how to climb your mountain (your Annapurna) and ultimately achieving something that seems unfathomable when looked at in the whole.
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