I really haven't liked the commercialization of mountaineering, particularly of Mt. Everest. By paying $65,000, you can be conducted to the summit by a couple of good guides.
Interpretation
Hillary expresses concern over the commercialization of climbing, particularly the ethics of paying to reach summits like Everest.
In this quote, Edmund Hillary critiques the growing trend of commercializing mountaineering, especially the ascent of Mount Everest. He highlights how the practice of charging exorbitant fees to guide climbers to the summit detracts from the spirit of adventure and challenge that mountaineering represents, suggesting that it transforms a once-serious pursuit into a mere consumer experience, devoid of the risks and merits that come with true exploration.
In practice
During a presentation on the ethics of adventure tourism, this quote can illustrate the debate on commercialization.
I think I mainly climb mountains because I get a great deal of enjoyment out of it. I never attempt to analyze these things too thoroughly, but I think that all mountaineers do get a great deal of satisfaction out of overcoming some challenge which they think is very difficult for them, or which perhaps may be a little dangerous.
Despite all I have seen and experiences, I still get the same thrill out of glimpsing a tiny patch of snow in a high mountain gully and feel the same urge to climb toward it.
I've always hated the danger part of climbing, and it's great to come down again because it's safe.
Even when you're 50, you can make the effort to improve your standards.
Many people have been getting too casual about climbing Everest. I forecast a disaster many times.
I am a lucky man. I have had a dream and it has come true, and that is not a thing that happens often to men.
The sun shines not on us but in us. The rivers flow not past, but through us. Thrilling, tingling, vibrating every fiber and cell of the substance of our bodies, making them glide and sing. The trees wave and the flowers bloom in our bodies as well as our souls, and every bird song, wind song, and tremendous storm song of the rocks in the heart of the mountains is our song, our very own, and sings our love.
The yard was full of tomato plants about to ripen, and mint, mint, everything smelling of mint, and one fine old tree that I loved to sit under on those cool perfect starry California October nights unmatched anywhere in the world.
A flower falls, even though we love it; and a weed grows, even though we do not love it.
From Nature's chain whatever link you strike,_x000D_ Tenth or ten thousandth, breaks the chain alike.
Earth and sea merged, the sea tossed itself in the air in a fantastic dance, into the shapes of men and horses and tattered banners. I stood in the lee of an overhanging rock and thought of many things.
The fire is the main comfort of the camp, whether in summer or winter
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