The answer to 'Why we risk our lives and climb mountains?'
People around me always ask me 'Why do you climb mountains and risk your lives?' Well, to be honest I've never found a proper convincing answer to that because the answer to why we climb lies somewhere between the base and top of a mountain and it possibly cannot be explained by 26 letters.
But here are a few magical moments I've captured on the mountains with a little description below each picture that might answer the question to some extent.
The above picture is clicked on Stok Kangri (6153m) expedition in July 2016. After climbing for the entire night in freezing temperatures, we were craving for some sunlight and when we saw this beautiful sunrise from 20,000 feet, all the tiredness faded and it reminded us that 'ITS ALL WORTH IT'
The above picture is captured right at the base of the massive Kang Yatse peak. When you are standing at the base of a peak, as philosophical as it might sound, you see yourself in the larger scheme of life and realize how little and insignificant you are. That's one of the most important reason I climb, it keeps me on the ground and in touch with reality of my significance.
Well what do I say about the above picture? Such sights are always a treat to eyes and soul. Picture taken In Gulmarg, Kashmir in India.
The massive valley of Seven sister mountain range in Himachal Pradesh, India. Zoom into middle of the picture to spot my tent, might give you an idea of the scale and how massive these mountains are ;)
Climbing on such beautiful slopes is always a privilege. Picture taken at crack of dawn on Kang Yatse expedition (6400m) summit push.
When you share the entire experience and process of climbing with your friends, the bond formed is unbreakable! You really get to see sides of a person on an expedition that you might not see it otherwise. You put your life in hands of your climbing partner at times and rely on each other with blind trust. I think that is pretty awesome! :)
And when you've seen stars from the clearest of skies and milkyway stretching right in front of your eyes, you are bound to get blown by the sight and you would want to see it again and again.
THE VIEWS FROM THE TOP! Addiction of a mountaineers life. We are willing to pay any price to see views from the top again and again.
Picture taken from Stok Kangri summit (6153m) .
These are the places and kind of raw natural beauty that hardly 2% population of the world are fortunate enough to see and those who see it are definitely addicted to it as am I and I am going to make sure that this addiction does not go away anytime soon!
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Live for the thrill of it, That heart pumping adrenaline
Better than mountains can be only mountains, which you have not yet visited (Russian proverb)
You are a very brave man. I like to look at the mountains, admire them. In Russia in the area called Kabardino-Balkaria is a lot of mountains up to a height of 5642 m (mount Elbrus)
So true! I am planning to climb Mt. Elbrus next year hopefully. Have you climbed it?
Haha, no, I'm a coward)
Come on! Don't say that about yourself! You are capable of much more than you think :)
beautifull post!
"Why do you climb mountains?"
"Because they're there"
Cannot remember which well known mountaineer said that but it's more profound than it seems. .......Reinhold Messner maybe?
Hi. It was said by mountaineer George Mallory in an interview to new York times. He is the first person to attempt Mt. Everest. Unfortunately died on Everest
I don't wonder why you climb mountains because these views are amazing! It only seems fair that those who get to enjoy them should have to work for it. Thank you for sharing!