No View from the Top - Page 2
I climb for the map reading, and knowing I am in good enough shape to make the climb. I climb for the never-ending pursuit of the right combination of socks and boots that will not produce a hot-spot or blister. I climb because I know every ascent is its own journey of self discovery, and I know it will be for those I bring along. I climb to know that I can still do what I did last year. I climb to see how fast I can be, and I do keep track of how many people I pass along the way and how many people pass me (and I note the few that are older than me). I climb because I consider fitness and exercise marks of self discipline for me. I climb to get to the top before 9:00 am knowing most people below me just don’t know how hard they can push themselves.
Absent from my list is the view. The view is so temporary, and it seems I am never able to really take it all in and burn it into my memory. The sky, the clouds, the light, the scenery – the view is 360 degrees of overwhelming; and it turns out that it’s the least significant part of climbing the mountain for me. The mountain and the trail to the top is the teacher. The summit is just the place you rest before your next lesson
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