I recently came across this great blog that I think can speak to some of us here

The Fun Scale

Thanks for sharing that Mark. That scale is simple and encompasses a lot. Rings true right off the bat. I suspect though that if you tried to join Type III to Type I, it might be so forced as to nullify the scale.

I find most of my favorite mountaineering trips are Type 2. Cragging has been Type 1, which has been getting dangerously appealing

Hmmmmm..... Maybe my head is thicker than others. A lot of my climbing was Type III. Haven't you ever made a pact with God that you'd quit climbing if he got you down alive? I made such a pact with God -- many, many times.

Big wall climbing is definitely Type II.

"Maybe the whole goal, the path of the enlightened, is to turn Type III situations into Type I fun. Right.Maybe the whole goal, the path of the enlightened, is to turn Type III situations into Type I fun. Right."

The possibility that that can even happen is what keeps me coming back. It's like gambling; I keep thinking 'next time, when the conditions are a little different, or when I've trained a little harder, or....'

Kelly Cordes is one hell of an inspiration for any alpinist. The little guy gets it done! And with minimal ego, and a tremendous sense of humor about himself.

Not to mention, his link-up in Patagonia, his and Josh Wharton's first ascent on Trango Tower, et al.