Exploration

A view from the top of the world.

http://www.panoramas.dk/fullscreen2/full22.html

Nowadays, whenever I feel the need to escape the commonplace that is my destiny, I just read through the chronicles of last years best explorations [http://www.mounteverest.net ] . It isn’t just the sheer determination that stands out in these people, but also their absolute love for adventure. Moves me enough to bring a spring back to my step.

Most of the 8000+ mountains of the world are in the Himalayas. The tallest and the toughest climbs are all there. Mountaineers Mecca bang in the middle of one of the most politically charged landscapes in the world.

Jannu [pic] is a vertical rock face of 3000 meters at an altitude of 7000+ meters. The story of the Russians who went straight up its incline is simply heroic. Pure need to redefine excellence. So too the Catalans who crossed the magic line on K2. When these guys make a statement you just have to believe them.