There's no difference between a pessimist who says, "Oh it's hopeless, so don't bother doing anything." and an optimist who says, "Don't bother doing anything, it's going to turn out fine anyways. Either way, nothing happens."
The future of Yosemite climbing lies not in Yosemite, but in using the new techniques in the great granite ranges of the world.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The evolution of climbing in Yosemite should inspire climbers to explore and enhance techniques in other significant mountains worldwide.
Yvon Chouinard's quote emphasizes that while Yosemite is a revered location for climbing, the true progression of the sport lies in adapting and utilizing the climbing techniques developed there in other granite ranges around the globe. It suggests that innovation in climbing should not be limited to one area but should extend to all places where climbing can be pursued, thus broadening the horizons of the sport.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a climbing workshop, the instructor referenced this quote to inspire participants to seek new challenges beyond their familiar climbing spots.
More from Yvon Chouinard
All quotes βI think risk is important. I don't care if it's a great financial risk or a physical risk. You only get out of something what you put into it and the fact that you are willing to risk something means that you are going to get a lot more out of it.
The solution may be for a lot of the world's problems is to turn around and take a forward step. You can't just keep trying to make a flawed system work.
We're a part of nature. As we destroy nature, we destroy ourselves. It's a selfish thing to want to protect nature.
Evil doesnβt have to be an overt act; it can be merely the absence of good. If you have the ability, the resources, and the opportunity to do good and you do nothing, that can be evil.
The reason it was so scary was that there was only one climber capable of rescuing us, and that was Layton Kor, and he was in Colorado.
Similar quotes
I'm an adventurer, looking for treasure
Adventure is the invitation to common people to become uncommon.
As a rule, anything that is pretty you avoid when on an expedition in the polar extremes. Normally anything other than white means a hazard such as a crevasse.
Land! An island! We devoured it greedily with our eyes and woke the others, who tumbled out drowsily and stared in all directions as if they thought our bow was about to run on to a beach. Screaming seabirds formed a bridge across the sky in the direction of the distant island, which stood out sharper against the horizon as the red background widened and turned gold with the approach of the sun and the full daylight.
We must always remember with gratitude and admiration the first sailors who steered their vessels through storms and mists, and increased our knowledge of the lands of ice in the South.
I resolved to abandon trade and to fix my aim on something more praiseworthy and stable; whence it was that I made preparation for going to see part of the world and its wonders.