why do people climb mountains?

Answer 1

A friend of my co-worker wrote this. I think it answers your question pretty well:

I truly believe that there is no greater metaphor for life than climbing mountains. The mountains have a way of stripping the mind down do to its basic senses and forcing us to live in the moment. Spending time in the mountains teaches us about ourselves, mainly about the insignificance of our own existence. When we stand on the summit, I want you all to realize that we are standing at the top of a world that most people will never have the honor to step foot in. We will be peering over a crowd of giants at a land forged by forces greater than mankind. Our objective is to remain as honored gussets in this land and not become prisoners. In order to do this we must respect everything around us and maintain balance.

If you guys truly value your lives, then you must live them to the fullest. We have planned this trip for quite some time and have known from the beginning that it would be dangerous. To turn back now is useless. To turn back in the face of a fierce storm or worsening conditions is obvious. We must expect the worst and hope for the best. If we do not summit because we make the decision to turn back, then we will have learned yet another lesson. If we do not summit because we did not try, then we will learn nothing.

I hope we all realize that if we believe mountaineering is about getting to the top of mountains, then we are treading a path of foolery. Mountaineering is about everything BUT getting to the top. It is about teamwork, courage, fortitude, good decision making, determination, etc. Getting to the top is merely the culmination of effort and circumstance. Effort is in our hands, while circumstance is in the wind. In the end, the rewards of mountaineering heavily outweigh the risks, but you guys already know this. Standing at the summit, we will be afforded a fleeting glimpse at the nothing less than the meaning of life, the apex of truth and beauty, the literal pinnacle of success. Lets take advantage of our youth, health, and means by putting our hard work and preparation to the test. Those who climb for glory, money, fame, and the like may see the view from the top, but the true beauty of mountaineering will always be blanketed by cloud. Those who climb for truth and beauty will be afforded a clear view of something that is often hard to see through the fog of civilization; themselves.

Answer 2

To quote George Mallory, (no...not the "Because it's there" quote):

"...if you cannot understand that there is something in man which responds to the challenge of this mountain [Everest] and goes out to meet it, that the struggle is the struggle of life itself upward and forever upward, then you won't see why we go. What we get from this adventure is just sheer joy. And joy is, after all the end of life. We do not live to eat and make money. We eat and make money to be able to enjoy life.
That is what life means and what life is for..."

Answer 3

That's cool it's not a weird thing to like. Keep on climbing!

Answer 4

To prove to themselves that they can do it. It's like an empowerment type of thing. Plus when you get up there theres beautiful views! Me on the other hand, I'm to lazy and don't have enough energy to climb mountains.

Answer 5

For the sheer thrill of it, to test their strength and endurance, to see the beautiful reward of a mountain top view, to know that they have conquered one of God's greatest creations of Earth, and most of all, it's fun!

Answer 6

For the challenge & simply because they can . Once you get into it , It becomes an addiction as well .

Answer 7

Because some people thinks for different ways someone cannot did and by that way they feel that they are great!!

Answer 8

I guess they like hights. I hate them. Dizzy

Answer 9

for the challenge, and to be close to nature.

Answer 10

Can't afford the helicopter ride up :))