"Soberly Astonished" on The Ridge to Gilpin

“Adieu to disappointment and spleen. What are men to rocks and mountains?” ― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.” ― John Muir 

“Because it's there.”  George Mallory

"Because we still can." Mark Johnson

“Climb if you will, but remember that courage and strength are nought 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.”  Edward Whymper

“I am losing precious days. I am degenerating into a machine for making money. I am learning nothing in this trivial world of men. I must break away and get out into the mountains to learn the news."  John Muir

"The greatest gift in life is time." Mark Johnson

Only in silence do we hear the one voice that truly counts. Mark Johnson

“We are now in the mountains and they are in us, kindling enthusiasm, making every nerve quiver, filling every pore and cell of us.” John Muir

"There's no dream that mustn't be dared. . . Is this the summit, crowning the day? How cool and quiet! We're not exultant; but delighted, joyful; soberly astonished. . . Have we vanquished an enemy? None but ourselves.  George Mallory

"In order to find inner peace we must first step outside." Mark Johnson

"The perpetual paradox is that when one is closest to a destination one is also the farthest.”  Rebecca Solnit, Wanderlust: A History of Walking

"The higher you climb the smaller you get."  Mark Johnson

"Mountains are mighty patient..."  Jack Kerouac, The Dharma Bums

"Suffering is the catalyst for transformation."  L.M. Browning

"Mountain summits taught me that anything is possible if you just keep putting one foot in front of the other."  Mark Johnson

"Mountains hold my life's story. They don't cure cancer or abolish genocide, but they did save one life, my own."  Mark Johnson

The defense rests its case, your Honor...