Nick

Great article, and thanks for the inspiring words on a Monday! I found the post because of your reference to Mallory…He is a hero of mine as a climber and thinker, and I was also fortunate enough to be one of the ones who found his remains high on Everest in 1999.

Just a quick note on his oft-cited remark “Because it’s there…” As you wrote, “The words seem almost flippant when you consider the deep commitment Mallory exhibited toward the attainment of his dreams.”

In fact, the words were flippant, said in exasperation after a 1923 speech in NYC as he was thronged by reporters. His true reasoning for climbing Everest – or wanting to – was far more eloquent and philosophical. I won’t rewrite the whole thing here – it can be found on my blog at http://mountainworld.typepad.com – but, the most relevant part is what I use to end my “Climb Your Everest” keynote presentations:

“There is something in man which responds to the challenge of this mountain, and goes out to meet it…The struggle is the struggle of life itself, upward and forever upward. What we get from this adventure is just sheer joy. And joy is, after all, the end of life…” – George Mallory, 1923

Thanks again, and have a great day!

-Jake Norton
MountainWorld Productions