K2 Deaths

CNN reported that 11 people were just killed on Pakistan's K2-the second biggest mountain in the world- when their rope snapped. 

The climbers who died were Dutch, Irish, Italian, French, Norwegian, Korean, and Nepalese citizens. People from all over the world coming to this one place to challenge themselves. Sometimes it seems so stupid that we put ourselves in dangerous positions, that we risk our lives to say that we have accomplished something. Yet accomplishment and challenge touches something deep within us. 

These climbers tested themselves until their deaths, but what if they had never went on the trip? What if they never would have taken the risk? Would they be happier people? 

The mortal son of a god from The Iliad, Achilles, faced a similar decision. He was forced to decide whether to die in glory early or lead a happy, lengthy life to create a family. He eventually decided to take the glory.  What is it within the human spirit that desires to prove him or herself untouchable? Immortal?

I just got back from a rock climbing trip, not quite as intense as the K2 climbers yet challenging nonetheless. I found myself full of lust for the next battle, the next cliff to conquer. I failed many climbs but that only made me want it more. I was challenging my greatest challenger throughout those climbs, myself. I am not ready for K2, yet something in me desires some challenge, some risk like those climbers about which I read on CNN.