This story was definitely not what I was expecting… I was expecting a fearless, adrenalin boosting story. In the end when neither the main characters nor the experienced climbers are able to conquer the Eiger I find myself dissappointed. I understand the risk that is taken, and I see that a lot of risks need to be throught through with a plan before they are taken. The narrator, Jon, seems to be the type of risk taker I am. He likes to take risks but knows when enough is enough. He noticed the conditions were harsh and knew he was not that skilled of a climber (and we aren’t talking about the risk of trying a new food or telling that special someone you like them. We are talking about climbing a 6000 foot vertical wall). Jon’s friend is the type of risk taker who hates backing down and giving up. Sometimes it is hard to give up or to fail, but in every risk you take you cannot have success every time.
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Kirstyn Said:
on January 21, 2008 at 7:13 pm
I thought your reference to planning and preparation before risk-taking was interesting. It made me think of how carefully we’re taught to pack before taking a multi-day hiking trip, how we shouldn’t ski in the back country without knowing avalanche safety and carrying the right equipment, how I’m *supposed* to always wear a helmet when I climb.
This leaves me wondering, in a larger sense, what effect personal differences have (if any) on risk and on success or failure following risk. How does culture affect these things: the amount of planning, the “quantity” of risk, the quantity at stake to lose or gain, etc. This is a huge question I realize .. something maybe to think on.