On Tue, 6 Feb 2001, micah_lauer wrote:
> 
> What's it all about to you?

The Onsight?

It can be a 12-pitch crack route, or finding my way the summit
of a non-technical peak.  That's one aspect of what it's "all about" to me.
Perhaps I'll qualify further and estrange the popular notion of
"onsight".  A first attempt it not sufficient nor necessary for this criteria. 
What floats my boat is completion of a task for which the outcome was
not assured.  A crag pitch I've never done but 2 grades below my usual
level and every move visible from the base doesn't qualify.  A summit with
a trail to the top might; if I've only got 2 hours, I'm wearing running
shoes and cotton pants and there's 4 inches of new snow on the last mile.  

Heading out into the unknown territory.  Making the choice to push through
that scary lieback, not knowing when/if it will relent.  Yarding up
through the steep brush by compass bearing.  Choosing which coulouir.
Agonizing whether to take that #4 Camalot.  Fretting on the
weather.  These make the beer waiting on the back seat of the car  
so much cooler.

Getting committed and figuring it out (not necessarily in that
order). Clipping the anchors, wobbly-legged, with hands that won't clench.
Standing on a new summit, 1/2 hour behind schedule, calculating how long 
you can really afford to sit and enjoy the view. 

That's The Shit.

Chuck