Because It's There.

If I'm often quizzical about the motivations behind my own actions, I'm just downright ignorant about the motivations of others.

I'm reading No Shortcuts to the Top by Ed Viesturs.

I can honestly say that I don't subscribe to the George Mallory rationale for mountaineering.

The things I have to do because they're there are different. None of them relate to securing myself to a rope several thousand feet over a crevasse. None of them risk edema of any kind or the self-cannibalism for caloric content that occurs at extremely high altitudes.

Not that I mind discomfort. The most misery I anticipate doing things I have to do, however, involve brief bouts of hunger and thirst, lack of sleep, and sore feet.

For instance, I can, and have, looked at the Outer Mountain Loop and said to myself, I have to do that.

Same goes for Yosemite and certain portions of the AT.

I can honestly say that there are will always be some portion of me that will not be at rest until I have checked those off my list.

Viesturs, intentionally or not, passes on some lessons that are pertinent to all parts of life, not just alpine hiking.

As the title suggests, there are no shortcuts. Stop looking for them.

Another one I've learned over the past couple of months is to expect nothing but be prepared for anything.

The most important one, however: you can't fully appreciate the view unless you've made the climb yourself.

Like I said, the things I have to do because they're there are different.