Many believe that it is in this risk that they feel alive. Will Unsoeld, a Philosopher and an advocate of risk argues that, “risk is good for our souls, that it helps us to achieve higher-quality, more fulfilling lives (Schmid). Most climbers can agree that soloing isn’t all about the adrenaline rush, it’s about the calmness, happiness, and sense of accomplishment that comes from being in control of the situation. Many climbers state that one of the best feelings they experience is in those moments of climbing because that is when they are most in control, and the ability to suppress fear. I think that one of the worst setbacks in life is fear. I believe that taking risks is part of feeling alive and in control of certain parts of our fates. Without taking risks life would be boring and unbearable. There is always a price to pay for every decision taking to add some adventure to our lives. While free soloing has the ability to empower us to conquer our fears, and allows us to embark on our next great adventure on the Yosemite Valley or on El Capitan , that comes with its price of high level risk factor of getting seriously injured or facing an early death. Free solo accidents …show more content…
“Free soloing is sometimes described as an experience of absolute harmony, either with oneself or with nature” (Schmid). Athletes often feel a sense of strong empowerment upon completing a difficult climb. Free soloing has the ability to empower the athlete’s psychological growth. For a free solo to be completed successfully the climber has to learn how to focus his energy, embrace and plan for the challenge properly, thus teaching the athlete that these traits are essential to becoming an expert on risk management. Athletes gradually become disciplined, self-reliant, and courageous. Being able to successfully rely on you own plans and strength to get you from bottom to the top can boost a person’s
“…people need not fear the unknown if they are capable of achieving what they need and want" (79). Both protagonist learned about the dangers of fear through the tribulations of their journey. Although life may constantly though curveballs our way, it is important to learn how to take risks. One must to have the audacity to continue on. Odysseus, a courageous Greek hero, would not have made it very far if he was apprehensive of taking risks. Instead, he sought
The climbers' experience in mountain climbing and at high altitudes varies; some of them are quite qualified, others very inexperienced and highly reliant on the guides. The actual summit push is when everything begins to fall apart.
Cross country runners spend weeks to months training for that one moment, the moment they will lean across the finish line. Crossing the finish line only lasts for only a split second, but the impact is significant. People often ask why, why spend so much time training for that one moment? Well for me it’s simple. The feeling I have when I cross that finish line is like no other I’ve ever had; it is a unique combination of pride, pain, relief, and an indescribable sense of accomplishment. After reading Into Thin Air, I realized how similar climbing a mountain actually is to running a race. Climbers, just like runners, spend months training for those few glorious minutes on top.
Climbing Mount Everest is a horrific and thrilling experience that 290 people have died attempting to complete. In the novel “Into Thin Air” written by Jon Krakauer, Krakauer goes through his own journey of climbing Mount Everest and how commercialized the climbing of Everest had really become. In his journey he explains how climbers have paid as much as $65,000 to join a guided group that would lead them to the summit. The author bluntly states that some of the novices were not qualified to climb Mount Everest. With this amateurity it only made the journey twice as much difficult and dangerous. Unfortunately, a terrible blizzard struck Mount Everest within minutes of them reaching the top. For all of the climbers on the mountain, the blizzard turned what was to be a successful climb for all concerned into a nightmare. Because of poor planning, several of the climbers found themselves in a desperate situation that they had no
Chris McCandless and many other adventurers risk their lives in order to have the thrill an exhibition can supply. In Judith Kleinfeld’s article, “McCandless: Hero or Dumb Jerk”, she describes different types of people who strive to be like McCandless, “The Hero: A person following their dreams, seeking to test themselves with adversity and risk in order to live life fully.” Kleinfeld states that people who claim to be a hero, do not risk their lives because they do not care whether they live or die, they take risks to ensure that a person lives a fruitful and exciting life. A person may often times find thrill in living life to their fullest ability, which may or may not be dangerous. Neal Karlinsky agreed with Kleinfeld, that people take risks as an expression of living life and enjoying the thrill of danger. “The 29-year-old is on the journey of a lifetime … a journey that could cost him his life. And he couldn't be happier.” Karlinsky states that the person is happiest when their life is on the verge of ending. I believe people that risk their lives for adventure all have the same outlook on the topic. The truth is, life is fleeting. I b...
We all know that staying safe will keep us alive, but it is a boring way to live. The biggest regret a person can have is never trying what they always wanted. As mentioned before, time never stops, so it is crucial that they act now. We fight a battle before we are even born against millions of others to see who will get to the egg first and be fertilized and born. We did not come to this world to just be safe and to be afraid to do new things. We all have a reason to be here and the journey of life is to find our purpose in life. It is what makes life so great, but to get their we must take risks and overcome that fear. People are afraid of taking risks because of failure. They are afraid to fail and not get anywhere. However, that fear can be overcome is they keep pushing and keep trying and keep taking risks. Taking risks will get a person out of their “safe” comfort zones and the result of this can be something so
Given the recent Everest tragedy over the weekend with the biggest loss of lives to date, this case study rings particularly poignant. It’s hard to think of a higher-staked situation than making a summit bid for Mount Everest. The responsibility in such a trek weighs heavy on the leader, but does not need to fall on his shoulders alone. Had Fischer been more willing to share credit, fostering a team-oriented environment, he might still be around today to bask in the glory of his ambitious undertaking.
Individuals take pride in the positive traits derived from the sport. Krakauer expands,“During my thirty-four-year tenure as a climber, I’d found that the most rewarding aspects of mountaineering derive from the sport’s emphasis on self-reliance, on making critical decisions and dealing with the consequences, on personal responsibility” (176). Despite the danger, success in mountain climbing results in a number of disciplined qualities. Regarding the aforementioned psychological effects of risky behavior, adventure can be invigorating as it is rewarding. Bass recounts, “There has to be a spirit of adventure to it, too, and an element of uncertainty and risk. Then when I persevere and prevail, when I overcome and make it, I come back down to the lowlands, back to the bankers and the regulatory officials, and by golly I’m recharged and ready to take them all on” (Bass et al 2). Climbing is an escape from the normalcy of endless routine. Mountain scaling adds an addictive element to perilous activities. Krakauer
When beginner hikers think about hiking for the first time, they may think of all the walking and climbing, what to eat, & a place to sit. But what is the ultimate goal of a hiker--what gives them the motivation to go the extra mile, or the extra day? The fulfillment of it all, the sleeping, cuts scrapes bruises, the will to keep going. The beauty, and the horror of it all, the will to keep going gives a sense of accomplishment above all other things. The goal of the hiker may very well be to expand the essence of their individualism--in a sense to be as free, and persistent as the trail itself.
Risk is something that generally entails the potential of loss, and also the potential of gain. A risk is undertaken when the end result is considered to be greater than the potential damage that could be done in the event that the end result is not reached. The decision depends upon the level of fear of the individual and how likely they feel the opposing development inherent within the risk to occur. Individuals in today’s society go against their self-control and voluntary perform risk to see how far they can push their limits (Lupton, 1999).
Have you ever called rescue services, to help you? Everyone will call for help, whether it is for a fire, car crash, burglary, and many more. You would want help, right? Rescue services are called from everywhere, to save people’s lives. Now a debate of should people who put themselves at risk receive rescue services has risen. This has become a debate to do the many people dying trying to save people from getting hurt. People that put themselves at risk should not receive rescue services because, climbers are not experienced enough, others are at risk, and the climbers are taking more risk and by doing that they are hurting themselves.
I am adventurous. No I don't sky dive, wrestle crocodiles, or swim with sharks, but when asked by a group of friends to go cliff diving last summer, my best response was, “Sounds like fun!” I had never been afraid of heights yet have never experienced the thrill of cliff diving. All I could ask myself was, “What could go wrong?”
Climbers who have devoted years to the sport may never have a chance at Everest, yet it seems that those with the monetary means can get to the top, not through years of preparing, but by the simple addition of a signature to a check. Those without the experience somehow make up for their lack of skills by paying others to cover their shortcomings, in preparing everything from travel and logistics, to providing gear, food, accommodations, and a support team. The clients of guided trips can go so far as to have a mountain professional literally lead the way, every step, to the top.
Not every event has a guaranteed outcome- sometimes, one has to take a gamble in the game of life. There are some, however, who would prefer to travel within the safe, confined lane of actions with a definite outcome. Deciding whether or not to take risks in life can be tricky, but as Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment.” This quote means that people should take risks in their endeavors, because life is precisely about trying new things and experiences. As the quote explains, taking risks in life is a vital step to success, fulfillment, and gaining more out of experiences.
To learn and experience something new and out of your norm can be a pretty scary thing, almost like being in a foreign country and not knowing your surroundings; what do you do? You panic! I can remember clearly an event during my childhood, it was one of the hardest thing I've ever had to do, and that was learning how to rock climb. All my friend’s parents would take them to a nearby gym after school. It was a gym for kids and rock climbing was the cool thing to do. I wanted to go so badly and feel cool, just like my friends, but I was always afraid of heights. Never liked heights as a child, and when I was growing up I was left with that fear. One day I decided to face my fears, and thought to myself that rock climbing was an important skill to have under my belt. Also I thought this was a step closer to overcome my fear and rock climbing was the perfect way to get over that fear. I also knew this would be a great experience and will help me become physically and mentally stronger. What I didn’t realize was that learning to rock climb would also boost my self-esteem and to make me believe in myself more. I always felt on edge when I was faced with a new situation. It made me feel uncomfortable and not quite myself, it still does sometimes. But I knew with my very first rock climbing lesson there weren’t any more excuses! I simply had to face my fear and just do it. There was no going back.