Why Do We Climb Mountains?

Why do we climb mountains?

What pushes us, as human beings, to do the things we do? Why do we take on challenges that require us to exert extra effort? Do we get enjoyment out of it? Fulfillment? Energy? Passion? Exploration? What is it that drives us to pick a challenge-a mountain-and do whatever it takes to conquer it?

To illustrate this a bit, I am going to draw from a personal experience: Today, while vacationing in New England, my family and I decided to scale Mount Monadnock (man-nad-nock). This particular mountain is the third most frequently climbed mountain on the planet. This was not a particularly difficult trail to hike, so why did we do it?

I believe that a big part of our decision was to go exploring; to see a part of the country, that we had never seen, in the most unique way possible. But I also believe that we made the decision because it was an opportunity for us to spend more time together, helping each other up and down the mountain. We chose to climb Monadnock in order to gain a sense of fulfillment; in order to challenge ourselves; push our limits.

Why did the families with young children choose to scale this peak? Why did the 70+ year old woman choose to climb to the top? The two guys running up the mountain, why did they chose this path? I would venture to guess that each person we saw on the trail today had a slightly different reason as to why they were there. The one person that I can't stop thinking about though is the 70 year-old woman. Was this a journey to fulfill some long-held goal? Is this the way she gets her exercise? Did she make a promise to someone that she would finish this?I don't know that I will ever know, but I respect her immensely for the climb that she made today.

So challenges and mountains. What pushes us to conquer them? I think each individual has their own reasons for pushing their limits. I challenge myself in order to expand my horizons, learn new things, meet new people, and enjoy my life. Without challenges my life is boring. What else is there to push for? Where else can I go? I have a need to push forward as often as possible in order to learn as much as I can with the short time that I have here on Earth.

I would venture a guess that each person that challenges him/herself has a similar reasoning process. Although we don't typically think about why we challenge ourselves (I didn't until today), human kind is naturally pushing forward; naturally challenging ourselves. And with these challenges come reward and fulfillment, or disappointment and failure. Most of the time there is no in between. So why risk it? Why risk failing if we can keep pushing on and living our lives as they are? For most, life is too boring to do the same thing over and over. The reward is worth the risk because of the experience and knowledge that comes from a challenge; whether we overcome it or not.

After reaching the summit of Mount Monadnock this afternoon we realized that the rain was soon to hit. So my three younger brothers and I took off down the trail. How far could we get before the rain hit? That was the new challenge. We caught up to my parents (who chose not to climb all the way to the top), but that wasn't far enough. Just after catching up to them, the rain caught up to us. We failed to make it down the mountain before it rained; we failed to conquer our challenge. But we are better for it. We helped my mother down the slippery rocks and guided each other down the trail through the pouring rain. We pushed our limits and became better people because of it. How could we ask for more out of this trip? We reached the top of the mountain and found ourselves in the process.

I asked my brothers a question at the peak of the mountain: Is it the journey or the end result that matters most? You hear sayings that push each side of the envelope, but which one is correct?

In the end, it is up to an individual to answer that question. What means more, the journey or the ending point? Is it the climb and the effort put into it or reaching the summit that matters most? That is something that you will have to answer for yourself.

Oh, and the 70+ year-old woman? We passed her right at the base of the trail. She survived the rainstorm and made it back down the mountain. All on her own. I can only hope that 50 years from now I am able to scale mountains and challenges and continue to push my life forward.