Читать книгу One Best Hike: Yosemite's Half Dome - Rick Deutsch - Страница 9
ОглавлениеPreface
The motto for my life is “carpe diem.” This is a Latin phrase meaning “seize the day.” It is believed to have originated with the ancient philosopher Horace, the leading Roman lyric poet during the time of Augustus Caesar. The phrase was made popular in the 1989 movie Dead Poets Society, starring Robin Williams. He invoked his students: “Carpe diem! Seize the day, lads. Make your lives extraordinary!” Another interpretation would be: “Smell the rose today, for it may be wilted tomorrow.”
My first Half Dome hike, in 1990, was a life-changing experience. It was so much fun and so challenging that I decided to do it every year. It made me realize that if I was to experience all life had to offer, I had to get planning. I wrote a life list (now called a bucket list, a term made popular by the 2007 film starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman) to make sure I did the things I wanted to do. Prior to Half Dome I said, “Someday I want to see the pyramids; someday I will see the Taj Mahal; someday I will walk on the Great Wall.” When you are young, you have a lot of “somedays.” But in reality, someday often never comes. I have carried my life list for more than 20 years and checked off many things. For me it’s a living list—I constantly add things. I had never heard of Jordan’s treasure, Petra, five years ago and now I’ve been there. Looking back, for me Half Dome was the start of this awareness. We all have a finite number of heartbeats allocated to us, and one day tomorrow will not come. Our personal life odometer clicks over relentlessly; too soon you’re 30, 40, 50, and beyond. It seems to spin too fast. What you do with your time is your decision. You have a choice: Sit on the sidelines and watch the world on your TV or get out and live life. Experience things while you can; hike Half Dome.
Try this exercise. Write down all the things you want to do or see or experience before you die. Now write down the number of years you think you will remain ambulatory and able to physically and mentally attempt those things. Next, consider how much free time you will have available. This should be your private list—only put down the things that you personally want to do. And remember that you’ll likely use some of your vacation time for weddings, funerals, and family events. A few of your major wants may take two weeks or more (a safari, a trip to Antarctica, a bike ride across America). You will see that there is not enough time left to do the whole list—let alone repeat the spectacular ones. Put down the TV remote and strap on your hiking boots, ride your bike, swim, run, or just smell that rose today.
In this second edition, I have incorporated a wealth of learning gained about Half Dome and the early days of Yosemite. I expanded on much of the early Yosemite history and geology and added GPS points to help you arrive at the points of interest. At press time I had done the hike 31 times. Half Dome is my passion; make it yours.
I’ll do my best to get you to the top of your mountain. You can do Half Dome with three things: education, preparation, and motivation. I will help teach you what you need to know. You have to do the prep work. Hike a lot of hills and build up your upper body strength for the pull up the famous cables. Do the hike because you want to do it. What is your motivation? Half Dome is a goal and a journey. Have fun!
Carpe diem!
Rick Deutsch “Mr. Half Dome”
