Climb a Mountain. Why?
Mountains, Why do we Climb them?
The dangers and challenges of mountain climbing only escalate the sense of accomplishment and fulfilment when the task is complete. With these challenges also presents great opportunity to explore and discover the high altitudes. People climb mountains for self fulfilment, exploration, research and because they can.
Self fulfilment is the main reason people climb mountains. Her is a quote from Jon on his reason why he climbed Mount Everest “In truth, the call from Outside had unexpectedly aroused a powerful, long-buried desire”(Chapter 2). Many others experience the same desire as Krakauer to climb to full fill their dreams, resolution and believe in their inspiration. This article by Alan Arnette shows personal examples of why people climb Everest. Her is a quote from Edmond Hillary in Alan’s article that explains her reasoning to climb “I never had a vision to climb Mt. Everest. As with everything else, it just more or less grew … It was a growing process and a learning process. Never, in my early days, did I ever think of attempting to reach the summit of Mt. Everest. “. As you can see Hillary’s reason was just a goal an achievement that she set for herself and she was determined to complete her goal. Self fulfilment inspires people to do great things such as heroic actions in war, in life and in climbing.
Exploration is a fundamental human desire. To discover what is new and exploit the resources that are found. Well climbing Mount Everest might not give you and exploitable resource, it gives you valuable information on high altitude conditions and effects on the human body. Here is another quote from Krakauer that highlights the exploration aspect of mountain climbing. (Chapter 2)“that a British team of mountaineers … had reached the supreme remaining earthly objective of exploration and adventure, the top of the world.…”. The top of Everest is the one of the top prestigious exploration. This brings personal gain for humans as it is makes others look up to you, which you can exploit for your on advantage. To climb mountains to do research is not a rare occurrence. Such as climbing Kilimanjaro for altitude research. “Scientists camped out to test altitude sickness in more than 200 climbers”(Kilimanjaro climbers ‘take health risks’). Exploration and research answer questions which is a basic human desire to discover and uncover the unknown.
The mountains have been conquered and people can climb them with limited risks. “it would require the lives of twenty-four men, the efforts of fifteen expeditions, and the passage of 101 years before the summit of Everest would finally be attained.”(Chapter 2) As you can see the tallest mountain wasn’t easily obtained 59 years ago. However “We’ve got the big E figured out, we’ve got it totally wired. These days, I’m telling you, we’ve built a yellow brick road to the summit.” (Chapter 5) Times have changed an we climb mountains because we can. Higher and higher percentage of climbers are reaching the goal of the top of summit and safely, with supplement oxygen and highly trained guides. “The evolution of equipment into lightweight, super-strong, technically rated tools has revolutionized the sport…”.(Bill Fink) Better Equipment is the main reason why people can climb mountains safely know. Lighter equipment reduces the load needed to carry up the mountain. Tools that are more specialized to navigate the difficult terrain such as Belay Gloves that is the ultimate glove that protects against rope burn and keep your hand very warm. Overall since we can climb mountains we climb mountains.
Into Thin Air written by Jon Krakauer shows all these examples of people’s motivation. Jon Krakauer climbs the mountain for self fulfilment and research. The first British Mountaineers who climbed Everest did it for exploration and adventure. The amount of specialized tools that Krakauer used on his adventure. The ability to climb mountains with good success has increased the incentive to do so as well.In conclusion while researching and discovering the high altitudes with success you also gain self fulfilment and achievement on your journey.
All the quotes with a chapter in brackets after the quote is from Jon Krakauer’s book Into Thin Air.
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-11564734
https://www.yahoo.com/travel/deadliest-sport-ever-why-people-risk-their-lives-87909897077.html