Into thin air: first attempt

Why? Because it's there.

Don't try to use ordinary logic. It's a calling. And there is something about the challenge. The struggle with the elements. The view. The conquest.

And it's been there all my life. Constantly looking over my shoulder. I've grown up in its shadow. It calls me. And for a little less that a year I have been asking papa over and over again, relentlessly, when we would make our first attempt. Now papa is an extremely wise man, good looking and intelligent too, but above all wise. Ane he would simply tell me that we had to wait for the right moment. That patience is your biggest ally when you want to make the climb.

I suppose I'm a little young and restless, and I just wanted to go up. Papa said that we needed the right team. We would have to wait for Dood. And for the weather to be just right. Then, of course, there's the season. In the summer months people come from around the world to make the climb. Crowds. Best avoided. Climbing is a solitary venture. Alone with the elements. Zen.

Finally, the day arrived. Sadly, mama couldn't make it. She had to work. But the stars were aligned. We had to go now or risk losing the window. Dood called. We would try an ascent.

We met by the southeast pillar. Dood was already there. There was not turning back. We marched forward. Then we got to the window? "Summit?". The wind blew. Papa turned around to Dood who looked around, thought for a short while. The wrinkles around his blue washed eyes betrayed years of experience, a oneness with the elements, an intimacy with solitude. He's been there a thousand times. He knew.

"Second base camp."

It was a hard decision to make, but that's experience. The ability to recognize the moment to pull back. To say no. To leave the summit for another day.

Papa's wisdom knew that there was no point in arguing. We would leave the summit for another day and stop at second base camp.

But the views were great anyway and the coffee up there isn't as bad as you'd expect.

Sucker for punishment? Here's some more snaps: on a clear day...