Frank Haagsma,
Nadelhorn (4.327m), Alps
I go to the mountains to enjoy the silence, nature, the views and even the physical effort that has to be delivered to reach a summit. During the road to the summit, my view on the world changes; literally and figurative!
I practise mountaineering in the broadest sense of the word and enjoy a beautiful walk just as much as a challenging rock edge or long MTB descent.
What continues to fascinate me in the mountains is the strong contrast between the elements. There is often but a thin dividing line between warmth and heat, danger and security, beautiful and ugly, entertainment and effort. Contrasts make living in the mountains stretching and adventurous and ensure relativity and appreciation in the ‘other’ life.