CALL OF THE MOUNTAINS Climbing the Colorado Fourteeners

From day one of life, we begin to climb mountains of one kind or another. At first, "mountain climbing" takes the form of baby's struggle to inhale the first breath. Then comes rolling over, followed by crawling, and so forth. Naturally, the instinct to climb "over mountains" grows as a person develops a greater supply of climbing mustard, corresponding with greater physical, mental, and spiritual strength, and resolve. As life goes on, we discover new and different challenges, "mountains to climb," whether at home, at school on the monkey bars, or in organized events. Anybody accepting one of these new challenges learns key behavior and scoring feedback. Sometimes we encounter a mountain that we choose not to climb. That's okay. Eventually, though, we (may) find the courage to accept the next challenge. And when we succeed, our effort produces a thrill in the accomplishment and builds self-confidence for the next attempts. Just pick your "climbing battles". And along your way carry fitness, strategy, tactics, self-discipline, and focus. Ultimately these qualities help build a foundation for a happy life. And for safe climbs. Or so it seems, but not always. In this book the author, a motivated, but inexperienced climber, tells of his ventures into the Colorado Rockies, where he pokes around, skies, and ends up climbing "a real mountain." And more. Not the safest, smartest, or most foolproof strategy. The author lives to tell about it, as follows: