Climbing is difficult. My friend Alan Arnette reminds us that so is staying behind:
Climbers know what each day is like. They share the cold, the hunger, the pain in their lungs; and their hearts with teammates. They know the unknown.
Back home, the unknown is a mystery. Days go by with no information. No news is good news, they were told. But no news creates demons.
Then the phone rings, the computer beeps and all is well. Contact again. Smiles, a laugh, a tear of happiness. The team is together, focused on one goal.
A moment of clarity. The unknown is known. A deep breath. Then the silence returns as the connection ends.
As climbers we owe those who support us “back home” a great deal of gratitude.
