[at-l] On When To Endure, When to Quit

[janl2@mindspring.com (Jan Leitschuh)]

Just wanted to share a quote by climbing legend Alan Burgess. 

Though about rock climbing, it also neatly sums up when one should and
shouldn't be hiking. 
Having been on both sides of the hiking fence, I can relate. 

The quote:
"As for the pain climbers endure to do the difficult climbs, Burgess is
succinct, "If it doesn't feed you when it hurts, don't do it."

His words on risk also apply to long distance hikers:
"Climbing is a not just a physical risk," he says. "It's an emotional one." 

The full story:
http://www.mtshastanews.com/display/inn_news/news03.txt
> Saturday's show traced Burgess' climbing roots back to Wales,
>England when, as teenagers with little gear and less knowledge, he and
>his brother began to rock climb on the local crags.
> 
>"We didn't know what we were doing," said Burgess. "Finally, as much as
> he didn't want us to, my father decided that if we were going to climb >we had to get some training."
> From that shaky start, Alan and his brother went on to become legends in
>the climbing community.
> 
>Shoestring budgets, risky routes, and little sherpa support were >hallmarks of the Burgess brothers' Himalayan expeditions.
> 
>Now, at 53 years old, Burgess takes a more philosophical view of the
>mountains.
> 
> "I look at what the young boys are doing now," he says. "I've lived it, >but I know I can't recreate it anymore."
> 
>Burgess has studied Yoga for the last five years and it has sent him on >the quest for the perfect step and breath.
> 
>"Climbing is a not just a physical risk," he says. "It's an emotional >one." 
> 
>                  "The risk is here," he adds, pointing to his gut.
> 
>                  As for the pain climbers endure to do the difficult climbs, Burgess is
>                  succinct, "If it doesn't feed you when it hurts, don't do it."

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    	Jan Leitschuh Sporthorses Ltd.

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