–NOTE–  (This section was supposed to go in the middle of the last essay, but it did not work out as planned.  This section is more fun anyways.) Yet even with such a firm admonition, the mind falls short.  It is simply impossible to keep a perfect balance of fear and boldness. Ah, but this [...]

Why I climb. I suppose it does demand an explanation.  Ascending walls of rock and ice for pleasure falls a bit outside the normal range of recreational activities.  No one asks for a justification of basketball or swimming.  They just make sense.  You have the all the benefits of exercise and competition, and they are [...]