I don’t often cry, I think it was something that I wasn’t encouraged to do as a child and have just kept up the pretense, some might describe me as an emotional vacuum. Ocassionally though in quiet times when the right or wrong things happen in my life I do cry, I know grown men aren’t meant to but I guess at times I connect with my feminine side.
Today I didn’t so much cry as a shed a tear, when I received a group email from the rescue team and despite not even being on the rescue in question, found the letter from the family rather emotional. There were aspect of it that really touched a nerve with me as a climber. It was said from the heart of someone who knew and understood a mans passion for the outdoors.
I wasn’t going to share this sombre moment, but its part of my life, and part of being in a rescue team.
Anyway I give you one of the most prudent pieces of advice and solace from Edward Whymper who after the Matterhorn tragedy In 1861 wrote.
“Climb if you will, but remember that courage and strength are naught without prudence, and that a momentary negligence may destroy the happiness of a Lifetime. Do nothing in haste; look well to each step; and from the beginning think what may be the end.”
This quote adorns the inside of the main entrance to Plas Y Brenin, I often reflect on these wise words as I past.