What does it take to get to the roof of the world? Before you start counting the money (yes because there are guided tours available for a few thousand dollars) let me tell you that I am not talking about a guided tour.
What does it take to actually climb the mountain, the hard way? More than anything else, I think you have to be insane! Insane about wanting to attempt to breathe at almost the same altitude as a Boeing Jet cruises on cross-continent flights. Insane about backing yourself against the thundering gales and snowstorms that come out of nowhere within a matter of hours! Insane about shivering and sweating at the same time coz the sun won't relent and the temperature won't rise. Insane about trying to force food down your throat when swallowing your own spit takes an effort. Insane about risking life and limb to frostbite, bypothermia, HACE and HAPE. Insane enough to be able to walk by more than a 100 corpses that line the slopes of Sagarmatha! Insane enough for you???
So why have so many people attempted to conquer the peak since it was discovered to be the highest peak of the world? I suppose there are some humans who are always motivated by the seemingly impossible. It lends a prupose to their lives. Some are gifted. Some are just plain hard-asses with their brains jammed halfway up their backsides. No amount of cajoling will turn them away from a waiting grave on the treachorous slopes. But irrespective of which category you belong to you have to be out of your mind to even contemplate it.
The mountain tests you in every possible way before letting you to the top. But one breath of the rarified air on the top can wash away all the fatigue - until your start descending from the top. And therein lies the secret - that getting to the top is only half the battle!
So, find your own Everest and carve a life out of that meaningless existence!
4 comments:
nicely said...wonder how much time and energy is wasted going after what is others' perception of everest
the biggest mountain we try to climb is other people's expectations from us! If only we could sit back and objectively analyze things and say NO to a few things in life, it would be so much better...
Gosh..while reading, pieces from the movie vertical limit flashed in front of my eyes...
If i relate it straigtaway, climbing an mountain is like having no goal that is going to benefit you in terms of money or any other comforts..its purely a single track mind's wish and hence all the effort..this is why it appeals to those who we call "crazy" people...or i can say it the other way the most sane people who really know what they want and love to do :)
Just like that..i don't see myself climbing a mountain because i don't have one :)
But i do keep my eyes and mind open in the hope that i will find it some day...
Anon - I would love to dispute your conjecture that these are the most sane people - but I cannot betray myself!
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