I read a book called: When the mountain casts its shadow. It is the stories about high altitude mountain climbers. Most of them were obsessed about climbing even when they were having family. They would often leave their family behind for months in order to pursue their interest. The risk is high compare to other kinds of hobby or interest.
From the point of views of family and friends, especially when they died from mountain climbing, there were devastating experiences, often the trauma and scars they carried could drag on for years. Some of the accidents happened but could not locate the dead, they were either buried in the avalanche or they fell thousands of fts. from the mountain. The lack of proving dead body led to the illusions of family members, they simply refused to accept their death for many years.
From the transcendental point of view, the climbers were only pursue what their soul's desire for experience. Since no one really dies, and we will all someday pass away from our physical experience, we can say that the death because of mountain climbing are no different than that of other forms.
Some said that mountain climbing is a selfish act, the action does not contribute to the benefit of society as a whole. But every soul has its own agenda while descending down to this incarnation, who is to say what actions are more noble than the others? We are all coming down here to learn, to experience and to grow with various kinds of actions and activities.
For me, the spirit of mountain climbing is inspiring. Up in the mountain of 26,500 Ft, there are practically nothing can grow, the environment does not sustain life, and yet climbers were undaunted. Transcending the established human limitation, they demonstrated the ability of human being to conquer the natural world, and to define our true potential. I am fascinated by their acts. I personally can not imagine people willing to sacrifice the comfort of modern dwelling and risk the pain and suffering to reach the summit of Everst. However, I can imagine the Grandview of standing on the summit overlooking the world below, the feeling must be blissful and God-like. Perhaps just the journey itself is worthwhile.
