Update

 Once upon a time , someone asked me if I would be happy working a job that was not at the university. Since my position at the university closed in 2020, I found myself doing exactly that— working in jobs not at the university. It has been a very difficult transition.  Recently, things shifted quickly and in unexpected ways. The short version is that I am leaving the hotel which I am currently working, having taken a position at another.  The longer version of the story is that I stopped by to see my good friend and former GM at his new hotel. While I was visiting with him, one of the owners came out and introduced himself and we got to talking. After a few minutes, he said he wanted me to meet his brother. Our conversation turned into a job interview and 48 hours later I accepted a new position as front desk, manager and assistant operations manager. After some negotiating, we reached an agreement and I start my new position on April 9. It’s a much nicer hotel and these...

Today I Am Reading . . .

Ever wonder why men climb mountains?  One may ask but will never understand the answer until one walks out the front door. One is not required to scale a vertical face or endure any measure of harsh condition. But to go a distance, to step up a slope, to drop down into a valley, to chase an elusive peak that, no matter how close one gets, seems to retreat from being touched--an experience will answer the question. This is what Krakauer does. He does not answer the question as to why a "normal person" climbs a mountain, but he does show the reader--from a safe distance.

The Eiger's North Face
Alps
The book takes it's title from The Eiger ("The Ogre"), a 13,000 foot peak in the Swiss Alps. The "Morwand" (The Murderous Wall) is the northern wall (The "Norwand"), a 6,000 foot sheer face of rock and ice that has claimed the lives of more than sixty climbers since the first recorded ascent in the 1930's. Krakauer not only guides the reader up grandeur such as The Eiger, Denali, K2, Devil's Thumb "and leads us back safely" (as one reviewer described) but he also introduces us to the brave climbers who have done the same.

Devil's Thumb
Alaska
Having climbed a few slopes, forged a few streams, made a few passes and topped a few peaks in Colorado, New Mexico and North Carolina, this book feeds my appetite to get outside again, hike, climb, thirst, get hungry, get wet, cold, hot--to stand at the top with the feeling of accomplishment! Guess you have to be there. This book only feeds the fire.

It's been a while, but I'm sure Mt. Mitchell has grown a couple inches since I was last there . . .

Krakauer, Jon. Eiger Dreams: Ventures Among Men and Mountains.  Krakauer: Lyons & Burford, 1990. 

Popular posts from this blog

The Smooth-flowing Life

Rock Me, Epictetus!