Quotables for the Backcountry
A few quotes I dug out of my notebooks during a purge, put to photos. Click images to enlarge.
Denali summit, 20 below zero F and what do you call this kind of snow?
Spring skiing, fill up the SD card and publish a 30 photo trip report!
Two Lous, Denali summit.
Nap time, Austrian Alps. This is how bestselling authors recharge.
Lisa, Switzerland.
Julie, first time on two new knees.
Louie cooks up some schmarm in the AK.
Karma yoga.
Lou, 1982.
Anchorage, 1973.
Hocharn, Austria -- the learning is the life.
In writing, for Google indexing and such, with a few extras:
“A promise made is a debt unpaid, and the trail has its own stern code.” – Robert Service, Cremation of Sam McGee“…The mountain is more than rock and snow. It is a symbol, a metaphor for the ultimate goal, the ultimate achievement.” Rick Ridgeway
“In the world of the self taught, only learners exist — no teachers.” — Anon
“If you want a successful career and a few awards, be sure you marry the right woman.” — Red Barbour
“The difference between what you will and will not eat is 24 hours.” — Old trapper
“Run what you brung.” — Old motorsports saying, first heard in reference to skiing from Aspen snowcat guide Murray Cunningham.
“Power is the ability to sleep through any statement contrary to your purpose.” — Anon
“If there is one thing worse than having an artistic temperament, it is thinking you have one.” — Henry Miller
“If God didn’t exist, it would be necessary to invent him.” — Voltaire
“The difference between ignorance and stupidity? Ignorance is curable.” — Anon
“Any worthwhile expedition can be planned on the back of an envelope.” — Bill Tilman
“Campsites in the North are chosen for the things you can see at a distance…but they are remembered for the things you cannot see.” — Sigurd Olson
Comments
8 Responses to “Quotables for the Backcountry”
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cool stuff…..
Love the Henry Miller quote/ ego check…
The Northern Lights have seen queer sights…
Terrific, entertaining montage.
Lou, the shot at the peak of Denali is just amazing. Looks like such a beautiful line and the planning, skill, and effort to get there just boggles my mind.
Lou, I love quotes and have even put a (homemade) book together of favourite quotes.
I have quotes from great sports people, coaches, philosophers, intellectuals, mountain climbers and the list goes on. However, the irony is that the one quote, I repeat the most, appears, to the best of my knowledge, to have come from Hollywood. Not somewhere I can relate to a great deal.
The quote is from the movie Scarface, spoken by Tony Montana, “Every day above ground’s a good day”
I tend to repeat it aloud when people are whinging about insignificant things. It brings a little perspective.
Good stuff Lou. A couple of my favorites over the years:
“The key to flexibility is indecision”
“We are frequently wrong, but never in doubt!”
Thanks guys, good stuff. David, nothing really that strange about a quote coming from the film industry. Some terrific writers do screen writing.
All, I forgot to point out that we have a quotes page some of you may not have seen:
http://www.wildsnow.com/backcountry-skiing-history/backcountry-quotes/
Lou