Friendship Amongst Climbers

Friendship is one of those things that you either have or don't have! What does that mean??? I totally believe that most "friendships" are simply a matter of convenience, or at one or more of the 'friend's' personal expense. OUCH, how can I say that... because it is what it is! No, don't try to convince me that there are different 'levels' of friendships, or types...  as the Brits would say, "Rubbish!". What am I talking about then??? Read on...


Here goes, and feel free to agree or not! The friendship that I'm talking about is unconditional, that's right, no conditions... (don't get political on me here now... read the romantic side of this). I have been a part of many 'friendships' throughout my years, and I can admit that in the past I have been both the benefactor and the bastard! Of those friendships, the only ones that persevere are those that exist without interference of ego, hormones or other pointless emotions like jealousy, envy and greed (ya, greed can be an emotion, leave me with that!). So what then is this persevering 'friendship' made of, based on, surviving on??


Love. Oooooooh, there it is, that infamous four letter word that requires a blog all on it's own. I am going to employ that word in the truest sense of it's meaning. Leave it at that. BUT, it is not the only ingredient to a healthy, awesome, and timeless friendship! Being at peace with yourself is another firm requirement. If you are at odds with yourself in any way, you will project that into the friendship in some way, and that will create some form of imbalance and eventually cause a condition that evolves into an 'ego fest' of stupidity! The sort of friendship I am spitting about seems to be as elusive as the "Holy Grail" these days!

In my thirty-odd years of involvement in the world of climbing and mountaineering (not full-time) I have shared rope and many EPIC moments with a few people who today, simply put, would give their lives for me in an instant. That thought is reciprocal without conditions. Being 'right' is never an issue. That is ego driven and destroys many friendships before they have a chance to flourish. Do you do things, give things for your friends expecting something in return, even secretly deep inside? That's not how it works... How to explain this? With some of these beautiful people, contact is maybe once every two or three years, but when it happens, it's like we spoke last only yesterday and have not skipped a beat! Others, I see and interact with on a regular basis and it's just as intense. With some I have given volumes and truly, honestly never expected a thing in return. With others I have received volumes knowing that truly, honestly nothing was expected in return! The giving and taking never affects such friendship because it is not ego driven. I would even be so bold as to suggest that this kind of friendship comes before love... but is so intricately woven into the coarse fibers of love that it's difficult to distinguish as an entity of it's own. Pheeeew!


Enough... that was getting deep. Here it is, what I truly want to say: Thank you to all those who share in such a friendship! You light the way for others to follow and keep the true meaning of this concept alive. Climbers are not the only ones to experience this intense friendship... I'm not that vain! If you do not have such friendship, first I deeply empathize with you, second, start by sorting out your issues with yourself and then make new friends! It's never too late! Get on a rope and share the deepest sense of responsibility for anothers life... who knows, you might like it too! : P


Spread the love... life is short my friends!