One of the first climbing books I ever read was the classic Scrambles Amongst The Alps
It was a fitting read, in 1984, since my family and I were on a vacation in Zermatt, Switzerland, home of the Matterhorn.
Whymper, a British man who was trained as a wood engraver, made the first ascent of the Matterhorn on July 14, 1865. It is this climb - and its tragic conclusion with the deaths of four members of the party - that forms much of the story of Scrambles Amongst The Alps
It is reflecting upon this tragedy that, no doubt, forms the basis of the following Thursday Thought:
There have been joys too great to be described in words, and there have been griefs upon which I have not dared to dwell, and with these in mind I say, climb if you will, but remember that courage and strength are naught without prudence, and that a momentary negligence may destroy the happiness of a lifetime. Do nothing in haste, look well to each step, and from the beginning think what may be the end. - Edward Whymper**
Words we can all apply to our lives, be it in the mountains on at home on terra firma.
** If you want to read the entire passage, which is wonderful, stop on by Tomas Frydrych's blog, The Whole is Less than the Sum of Its Parts.
Jake Norton is an Everest climber, guide, photographer, writer, and motivational speaker from Colorado.
