I love watching any and every program regarding a high summit, even if it deals out death. It's the next best thing to being there. I especially enjoyed the triumph of those who survived the event. It's always terribly sad to see the loss of life so tragically end but I hope to expire either doing something I love or being with those I love. I will not be the guy that dies in the living room of a massive heart attack when I get up off the couch to get another bag of potato chips during my 7th hour of television for the day. I want to go peacefully, in my sleep, like my grandfather. . . Not like the screaming passengers in his car! (just kidding). There's always a lot to learn and even tragedy can make us all a little more knowledgeable. Why not learn from other's experiences? Notice I said 'experiences' and not mistakes? It's never my first goal to reach a summit. My first priority is to return safely to my family. So I miss a few summit attempts here and there. The mountain isn't going anywhere. It'l still be there tomorrow. I heard this quote recently, "Ageing is inevitable. Living life to its fullest . . . is an option.
Cheers to all who find joy in the mountains.
Steve
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