jstone

She called. When I got home this weekend, there was a message, an invitation for a spot on a permit to her, Everest. Kind of un-expected, since I was mentally torn apart this summer, my climbing, my belief in climbing has wained, I've been fighting to get it back, then this, a blessing, but also a hard choice. The south col, the original ascent route, is a crowded, comercial circus. I believe, and always have, that small teams moving fast are the true way to pursue alpinism, climbing in general. The group trudge up fixed lines on the south col adds nothing to the experience, or the art of climbing, and is beneficial only for those who wish to say " I climbed everest" rather than those who wish to actually climb it. there is a difference. The mountain is beautifull, with many gorgeous lines waiting for the dedicated, but costs for permits are too high to attract the small teams, so the mother goddess, Chomolungma is left to the boots of the masses. Though I was amazingly tempted, I realized that I would never be proud of myself for going there, mine are the small, lonely hills. Ronin forever.