PeakMind

To dare is to lose one´s footing momentarily.  To not dare is to lose oneself.  (Soren Kierkegaard)

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…..or 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.”

I believe George was saying that the high peaks are a crucible for discovering an appreciation and respect for the great gift of life that comes of daring and persevering to achieve difficult goals while avoiding the emotional traps that lead to foolish gambles.  But I am sure that George also knew that this point goes beyond purely intellectual understanding and the power of words to explain.  Perhaps he was offering a sort of  kōan …a statement so nonsensical yet compelling to encourage a personal exploration of its meaning, leading us to gradually begin to “feel” (or Grok) the truth of the statement that sounded so ridiculous at first.

A kōan (pronounced /ˈkoʊ.ɑːn/) is a story, dialogue, question, or statement, the meaning of which cannot be understood by rational thinking but can be accessed through insight born of personal experience.

This blog documents my personal exploration using the high peaks for that purpose, and includes a list of my Rules, Laws & Maxims, a series of essays (see overview) for safe success atop the high peaks, and a set of adventure stories that I managed to write down before losing the details to the Ages (see my trip reports).  Please feel free to read whatever interests you; and, please do comment as you think appropriate.

Don’t let your future be written.  Commit your whole body (i.e., body & mind) to overcoming hard physical efforts, challenging mental puzzles, and stressful emotional situations and begin to understand the great gift of life. Get out there, let your soul breath, and feel the rapture of being alive.

Rapture on Antero (Colorado)

I’ll see you on top.

Joe Lavelle