Inspirational Reading
Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 11:31 pm
From within the mountain of polar travel, and mountaineering books I've had the pleasure to read, one jumps out at me as being truly inspiring. "One Man's Mountains" is Dr. Tom Patey's humble, and at times breathtaking, account of his and his friends mountaineering exploits. The man is just so down to earth, honest, and has such a charming wit. And he was an amazing climber! Chris Bonington states in his Introduction that Patey had "a solo climbing standard at just about the same level as when leading-" i.e., on a rope. This was quite rare in those days. Yes, Patey was fearless, and tough- seemingly impervious to cold. He was also known for his passion for finding elegant new routes, always preferring to climb something new than to repeat popular climbs.
One of the most inspirational things about Patey for me is the fact that he would shoot off to climb at a moments notice- barring immediate surgeries. Apparently, he could have gone much father in his field of medicine, but had the good sense to seek after a more complete life, coupling his fine career with a constant flow of expeditions, both big and small, into wild mountain country. Yes, he died young on one of these solo exploits, but one feels with Patey, more so, than any other climber who died young, (there will be arguments here?) that he packed a very full lifetime into his shortened span of mere years- Doctor, Climber, Musician, Singer, Writer, Poet, and sadly too, a beloved family man with three children.
I highly recommend his book ... please recommend one to me. Thanks, Harlen.
One of the most inspirational things about Patey for me is the fact that he would shoot off to climb at a moments notice- barring immediate surgeries. Apparently, he could have gone much father in his field of medicine, but had the good sense to seek after a more complete life, coupling his fine career with a constant flow of expeditions, both big and small, into wild mountain country. Yes, he died young on one of these solo exploits, but one feels with Patey, more so, than any other climber who died young, (there will be arguments here?) that he packed a very full lifetime into his shortened span of mere years- Doctor, Climber, Musician, Singer, Writer, Poet, and sadly too, a beloved family man with three children.
I highly recommend his book ... please recommend one to me. Thanks, Harlen.