Climbing Quotes - Page 16

The climbing as a whole is not very esthetic or enjoyable; it is merely difficult.

Just why is Yosemite climbing so different ? Why does it have techniques, ethics and equipment all of its own ? The basic reason lies in the rock itself. Nowhere else in the world is the rock so exfoliated, so glacier-polished and so devoid of handholds. All of the climbing lines follow vertical crack systems. Every piton crack, every handhold is a vertical one. Special techniques and equipment have evolved through absolute necessity.

Personally, I would rather climb in the high mountains. I have always abhorred the tremendous heat, the dirt-filled cracks, the ant-covered foul-smelling trees and bushes which cover the cliffs, the filth and noise of Camp 4 (the climbers' campground), and worst of all, the multitudes of tourists which abound during the weekends and summer months.

The reason it was so scary was that there was only one climber capable of rescuing us, and that was Layton Kor, and he was in Colorado.

Remember: if you take bivouac equipment along, you will bivouac.

While ice is not really alive, it is certainly animate. It exists in an dynamic state of perpetual vibration, flux and movement. Enjoy its existence, and its safe passage in the mountains.

I continued with whatever 'qualified climbers' I could con into this rather unpromising venture.

I was spent up. I sure grabbed that girl of mine.

Actually, we're just glorified flagpole sitters.

I soon learned that Everest wasn't a private affair. It belonged to many men.

We'll climb with you and steal your women.

You know your life is over when you own a lawnmower.

I'm absolutely terrified that people can get into cars. It's like the car is a face, and the headlight is eyes, and when you open the car door it's like you're climbing into the ears. (I cannot) be inside a giant rolling robot head.

The greatest and most inspiring mountain climbing achievements in history are not so much stories of individual achievement, but are stories of the extraordinary power of a unified, talented, prepared team that stays loyally committed to one another and to their shared vision to the end.

that's exactly what climbing is to me. ... Expression. What a painter does on a canvas, what a writer can do with the twenty-six letters in the alphabet. It's the key that unlocks my spirit, the clearest representation of who I am. When I'm focused, climbing is almost an unconscious act for me. I don't have to drive myself, I'm already driven.

No one can have a peaceful life who thinks too much about lengthening it.

A dwarf can stand on a mountain, he's no taller.

To be a photojournalist takes experience, skill, endurance, energy, salesmanship, organization, wheedling, climbing, gatecrashing, etc. - plus an eye and patience.

I don't believe in rules. I would be happy to be climbing a pyramid when I'm 70. And I know I will be.

Bouldering is the synthesis of all skills needed for climbing

The only zen thoughts you can find on a mountain summit are those you brought yourself.

This valley is the only place that comes up to the brag about it, and exceeds it.

All of us knew that climbing was a sure way to stay poor, a lousy way to impress people and definitely no way to meet girls.

What one leads on-sight, in good, strong style, safely, is what one's ability is.

If you are under control you're going too slow.