Why are there so many books about climbing rock and mountains? Because there is more to climbing than just climbing, and you need to know what that means. The authors, often climbers themselves, make you feel the rock under your toes, the anticipation of an alpine start, and frequently speak about the spiritual and metaphysical parts of their journey, curiously without being religious. These books ponder our human strengths, weaknesses, the illusions fear creates, character, and show us how to suck the marrow out of life even if you choose not to climb.
This is a short post for you. I just need to get this notion of a summit game out there. It is quintessential and underlying most climbing stories. Dawn Hollis’ book, when it comes out next year, will indirectly uncover our modern perspective better, but for now, let me point it out this way. Kristen…
Hi, everyone! Yep, here I am posting. And it is despite me being in my busy warm-weather season (i.e. kids’ sports and the Habitat building season). So, you know, I think this is worthwhile. In fact, we might be turning a corner. In the last five years, Vertebrate’s Adventure Books, Rocky Mountain Books, and The…
Wine critic Robert Parker had a special sink built in his home. It was two or three times deeper than an ordinary sink so he could uncork a bottle that he personally purchased, slosh a sip to sense the flavors and hints of oak or whatever quality the barrel imparted before spitting it out and…
Stick season in Vermont is a period after the colorful leaves fall and before the snows take the leaves place in the branches. This winter in Pennsylvania has been one long stick season with only a brief snowfall near the Susquehanna River that landed on the pine branches and lawn during coffee but disappeared after…
The Suburban Mountaineer 