I just returned from a 4 day climb of three 14ers in the Sangre de Cristo range in southern Colorado. I summited two of the three but turned back on Little Bear due to extreme veriglass on the summit gully. You can read all about it in the trip report.<\/p>\n
Turning back from any climb – whether a 14er or Everest is a complex decision. I have done both. For me, the decision becomes a fact based decision, not an emotional one. On Everest, it was a factor of my climbing speed or declining health or weather conditions. On Little Bear it was simply the conditions.<\/p>\n
It can be argued that any re is a function of not being prepared well enough – physical condition, mental toughness or gear. And there is some truth in that. The other side is one of risks and the potential reward.<\/p>\n
Yes, if I had ropes, cams, crampons, ice axes and a partner with the same; I might not have turned back on Little Bear. If I had trained harder or perhaps had better mental discipline on Everest maybe I would have gone higher and even summited.<\/p>\n
Could have, should have , would have.<\/p>\n
For me the question comes around to why I climb. Of course I want to summit on every climb – that is the objective. And of course, I want to go home feeling I gave it my and did not give up too easy or let a partner down.<\/p>\n
And, of course, I want to come home.<\/p>\n
Climb On!<\/p>\n
Alan<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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