Passages - Reflections | The Journey Ends

My climbs made me interesting to myself. Solo mountaineering made me different from others and satisfied my desire for uniqueness from the ordinary living of the rest of my life. My understanding was that I needed this individuality more than I needed friends.

So for me, death holds no terror. And this knowledge, learned during my time amongst the great peaks, permitted me to see that it is better to attain the truth of self by not locating it while seeking it than by deciding not to seek it and never finding it.

Well, Alex, my mountain journeys, and this book, are at an end. Thank you for asking me to write about my climbs. I believe you now know something of why I kept returning to the mountains. Remember my adventures and me occasionally in your thoughts. That way I will be with you forever. Love always. Grandpa.