Climbing is life without all the bull. Its challenges and rewards are pure. It focuses my eyes on things bigger than myself, yet helps me look inward as well, to the soul.
For me, the mountains are a revelation God has granted all of us if we choose to look; a piece of himself. Yeah, there's glory and majesty and timelessness. But there is also danger, a wild, reckless, raging fury. Even the tiny green plant that clings to the cracks of a granite wall has something to say.
Mark Doiron - Jan 24, 2007 10:48 am - Hasn't voted
Literally-probably divulging too much information, but it helps me to be honest.
Hiking, climbing, getting to the top-whatever you call it-gives me a better quality of life. It restores my soul when things get tough.
Being diagnosed with something incurable a few years ago, I thought my life was over and I was left with an empty feeling. Finding the mountains and trudging to the top, gives me a feeling of hope, a sense of self. For those 4, 6, 10, 48 hours I am on the trail, I feel alive, I feel normal, and most importantly, I feel healthy.
And would you believe it-the damaging effects of my disease have began to reverse itself-the mountains are my healers.
That's why I put this page together--sometimes it takes a picture, sometimes a famous quote. Sometimes, it's just a feeling that's impossible to express. Thanks for your comment, Sebastian. --mark d.
„It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves!”
„It is still not hard to find a man who will adventure for the sake of a dream or one who will search, for the pleasure of searching, not for what he may find.”
especially since I went backpacking recently, in the pouring, chilly rain. My old tent leaked so much I slept in puddles and I ended up with very few photos - a true loss for me. And most people in our small group have written off this trip as a complete loss. I'm sure some will never want to backpack again. Yet if you'd call me tomorrow and say, let's go on a hike or let's backpack I wouldn't hesitate for a second. Yeah, I'd remember being wet, or cold and the sore knees and the huffing and puffing up the steep hills but I'd go again tomorrow. And I never want to stop going.
Being out there, whether it is hiking or camping or rafting forces me find what is important, to push my limits or back down gracefully as I grow older. I'm not a religious person but when I'm in the mountains I am definitely spiritually renewed.
And as I said in a forum earlier, I have met some of the very best people I know in the mountains.---Kathy
Thanks, Kathy, beautifully said. If you hadn't noticed, my user profile image was shot on the Ouachita Trail, after spending a night similar to your description. And I've been back many times, and hope to get back many more! --mark d.
Its great to read all the reasons and comments above. So many just hit the spot.
For me also, on the mountain I can forget the 'world', I can test myself....and feel good. I can scare myself and feel small. I can look around and feel privileged to be fit enough, and alive! (I nearly lost a leg after a bad break and gangrene.....not climbing). I can feel in awe! of the creation and its creator.
The mountains, just got to love em.
I have forgotten why exactly I wanted to start climbing, but I don't plan on stopping now, that's for sure. A few things I have discovered about myself: I feel oddly satisfied when I check items off of a to-do list, I really like hiking, I love nature and its beauty, and I enjoy feeling above everything. Enter mountain climbing and peakbagging. I cannot think of anything I could possibly enjoy more. That is why I do it.
Eleutheros - Jan 24, 2007 7:14 am - Voted 10/10
Why I Do ItClimbing is life without all the bull. Its challenges and rewards are pure. It focuses my eyes on things bigger than myself, yet helps me look inward as well, to the soul.
For me, the mountains are a revelation God has granted all of us if we choose to look; a piece of himself. Yeah, there's glory and majesty and timelessness. But there is also danger, a wild, reckless, raging fury. Even the tiny green plant that clings to the cracks of a granite wall has something to say.
Mark Doiron - Jan 24, 2007 10:48 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Why I Do ItBeautifully said. Thanks, Eleutheros! --mark d.
Andino - Sep 14, 2007 4:09 am - Voted 10/10
Pourquoi ?Because it's a mixture of adventure, friendship and excitement !
And above all to be in the middle of Nature.
This album is a great initiative, bravo ;o)
Mark Doiron - Sep 14, 2007 7:26 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Pourquoi ?Thanks, Myzantrope! BTW: I just commented on your Volcan Tunupa image--gorgeous work! Thanks for the images you added to this album. :-) --mark d.
Andino - Sep 14, 2007 9:46 am - Voted 10/10
Re: Pourquoi ?Merci à toi !
Theonestar - Oct 13, 2007 12:10 pm - Voted 10/10
I do it to liveLiterally-probably divulging too much information, but it helps me to be honest.
Hiking, climbing, getting to the top-whatever you call it-gives me a better quality of life. It restores my soul when things get tough.
Being diagnosed with something incurable a few years ago, I thought my life was over and I was left with an empty feeling. Finding the mountains and trudging to the top, gives me a feeling of hope, a sense of self. For those 4, 6, 10, 48 hours I am on the trail, I feel alive, I feel normal, and most importantly, I feel healthy.
And would you believe it-the damaging effects of my disease have began to reverse itself-the mountains are my healers.
Mark Doiron - Oct 14, 2007 7:08 am - Hasn't voted
Re: I do it to liveThanks for your very personal contribution, Theonestar. I pray that your mountain healing continues! :-) --mark d.
Sebastian Hamm - Jul 24, 2008 4:25 pm - Voted 10/10
Why I do it!I can't find the right words, but I know...
there is a feeling while climbing mountains I am addicted to and will be as long I live.
Sebastian
Mark Doiron - Jul 25, 2008 4:11 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Why I do it!That's why I put this page together--sometimes it takes a picture, sometimes a famous quote. Sometimes, it's just a feeling that's impossible to express. Thanks for your comment, Sebastian. --mark d.
dalton1 - Sep 17, 2008 9:16 am - Voted 10/10
George Mallory, 1923In March 1923, in an interview with The New York Times, the British mountaineer George Leigh Mallory was asked why he wanted to climb Mount Everest.
His answer was: 'Because it's there'.
Great album!!!
Mark Doiron - Sep 17, 2008 11:31 am - Hasn't voted
Re: George Mallory, 1923Thanks, Dalton1. Of course, that famous quote belongs in the album and I have added it! --mark d.
dalton1 - Sep 30, 2008 4:00 pm - Voted 10/10
Hi Mark!I have found some more...
„It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves!”
„It is still not hard to find a man who will adventure for the sake of a dream or one who will search, for the pleasure of searching, not for what he may find.”
(Sir Edmund Hillary)
silversummit - Nov 2, 2008 7:25 pm - Voted 10/10
I've been thinking about this question latelyespecially since I went backpacking recently, in the pouring, chilly rain. My old tent leaked so much I slept in puddles and I ended up with very few photos - a true loss for me. And most people in our small group have written off this trip as a complete loss. I'm sure some will never want to backpack again. Yet if you'd call me tomorrow and say, let's go on a hike or let's backpack I wouldn't hesitate for a second. Yeah, I'd remember being wet, or cold and the sore knees and the huffing and puffing up the steep hills but I'd go again tomorrow. And I never want to stop going.
Being out there, whether it is hiking or camping or rafting forces me find what is important, to push my limits or back down gracefully as I grow older. I'm not a religious person but when I'm in the mountains I am definitely spiritually renewed.
And as I said in a forum earlier, I have met some of the very best people I know in the mountains.---Kathy
Mark Doiron - Nov 3, 2008 8:30 am - Hasn't voted
Re: I've been thinking about this question latelyThanks, Kathy, beautifully said. If you hadn't noticed, my user profile image was shot on the Ouachita Trail, after spending a night similar to your description. And I've been back many times, and hope to get back many more! --mark d.
mountainmanjohn - Aug 21, 2009 5:37 am - Voted 8/10
Out there....in the peaceIts great to read all the reasons and comments above. So many just hit the spot.
For me also, on the mountain I can forget the 'world', I can test myself....and feel good. I can scare myself and feel small. I can look around and feel privileged to be fit enough, and alive! (I nearly lost a leg after a bad break and gangrene.....not climbing). I can feel in awe! of the creation and its creator.
The mountains, just got to love em.
Mark Doiron - Aug 21, 2009 6:31 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Out there....in the peaceThanks, Mountainmanjohn, well said! --mark d.
Clubbox42 - May 28, 2017 10:54 pm - Hasn't voted
Because It's ThereI have forgotten why exactly I wanted to start climbing, but I don't plan on stopping now, that's for sure. A few things I have discovered about myself: I feel oddly satisfied when I check items off of a to-do list, I really like hiking, I love nature and its beauty, and I enjoy feeling above everything. Enter mountain climbing and peakbagging. I cannot think of anything I could possibly enjoy more. That is why I do it.