The discussion for this class has centered much around the cause behind mountaineering, the draw to the sport, and what attracts mountaineers to the thrill of the dangerous endeavor. Fallen Giants, while dense and packed with great historical detail, contains insight into the question of why mountaineering is loved by many despite its danger. Isserman and Weaver quote George Mallory in writing “When I think of mountaineering with four cylinders of oxygen on one’s back and a mask over one’s face, well, it loses its charm” (Isserman & Weaver, pg. 110). Upon reading this quote among the many others that gives the mountains charm and a beautiful picture, I find this one pretty comical. Mallory seems sort of the like the type of guy that doesn’t want to half-ass anything and wants to climb “because it is there,” as he is famously quoted as the chapter three title. This seems like the most simple explanation to mountaineering, but not a very deep explanation. Simply climbing something “because it is there” seems rather reckless, but maybe for some, this is the only explanation they can give. Even with a simple explanation behind mountaineering, there has to be some deeper draw to the sport, that brings so many to climb the highest mountain in the world, or the even shorter mountains that pose more of a danger than Everest. Clearly, Mallory finds less of a draw in the sport when he thinks about carrying four cylinders of oxygen to stay alive, but Fallen Giants does give more information on the draw of the climb.

 

Another section of the reading I found interesting was found in the first chapter when “The Playground of Europe” is being discussed and Edmund Burke is referenced writing “Burke gave classic definition to the aesthetic distinction between the Beautiful– the regular, the proportioned, the visually predictable–and the Sublime– the dramatic, the unexpected, the awe inspiring” (Isserman & Weaver, pg. 27). This gives two different meanings to the mountains and two different descriptions, placing the mountains under the Sublime for many. Mountains give a sublime view for many and may be another cause behind the need to climb them.  In the same section of the reading, theres an argument made that seems to fit George Mallory’s personality and view of mountaineering and the sport. The argument is stated: “Mountain climbing, the argument runs, was at root about self-improvement and character building. It was a form of athletic recreation suited to the aggressive posturing of the self-made man” (Isserman & Weaver, pg. 28). To put mountain climbing as a way to better oneself and help build character, much like many other sports, gives perspective behind George Mallory’s journey and many others, and behind the phrase “because it is there.” We see a deeper reasoning, a longing to find out more about oneself through challenges. Isserman and Weaver write on Albert Mummery quoting him in saying “The essence of the sport lies not in ascending a peak,…but in struggling with and overcoming difficulties”(Isserman & Weaver, pg. 37).

 

To me, the class discussions have stumped me because in asking the question of why a person mountaineers while the sport is so dangerous seems unanswerable. To each their own. Why do we hike and ski in Bozeman Montana knowing an avalanche could be started, or knowing we could run into a dangerous animal? The answers could be all over the board depending on the person. It seems that everyone’s journey of life is different, and if mountaineering brings a person closer to themselves, or helps a person better themselves then it is a productive use of time.