An extended stay in the wilderness inevitably directs one's attention outward as much as inward, and it is impossible to live off the land without developing both a subtle understanding of, and a strong emotional bond with, that land and all it holds.

In climbing, having confidence in your partners is no small concern. One climber's actions can affect the welfare of the entire team.

My reasoning, if one can call it that, was inflamed by the scatter shot passions of youth and a literary diet overly rich in the works of Nietzshe, Kerouac, and John Menlove Edwards.

I was dimly aware that I might be getting in over my head. But that only added to the scheme’s appeal. That it wouldn’t be easy was the whole point.

Almost every magazine piece I've ever written, I felt like I haven't done it justice, like it was just a gloss.

I never studied writing, but I'd always been a reader and had a secret fantasy about being a writer.

But now that I was finally here, standing on the summit of Mount Everest, I just couldn't summon the energy to care.