The sad news came yesterday, as reported on Exweb, that the search for the three missing climbers has been called off. They are presumed dead; their photos are on display in a temple in Kathmandu. Terribly sad news. Ironically enough, Ed Viesturs new book, The Will to Climb, talking about this own experience on Annapurna, statistically the deadliest mountain on the planet, is next on my reading list.
By now I suppose nearly everyone has read the extremely touching eulogy of Steve Jobs by his sister Mona Simpson. It is one of the most amazing essays I’ve ever read. It seems to capture the essence of the man. I knew of course that he came into Palo Alto Bikes a lot, one of my old haunts. But I was especially struck, at the end of the piece, with these words:
“This had to be done. Even now, he had a stern, still handsome profile, the profile of an absolutist, a romantic. His breath indicated an arduous journey, some steep path, altitude.
He seemed to be climbing.
But with that will, that work ethic, that strength, there was also sweet Steve’s capacity for wonderment, the artist’s belief in the ideal, the still more beautiful later.”
Climbing as metaphor, and climbing as real ethos for all we do in this lifetime I think
Beautiful. Touching. Inspiring.
