Beyond the Hillary Step

It’s late May. Which means it’s time for the annual traffic jam at the top of the world — Mt. Everest. For many climbers, (or just thrill seekers with deep, down, pockets), Everest represents the pinnacle of achievement—the ultimate conquest promising to stave off the haunting specter of regret. But watching the clips of climbers looking more like tourists waiting for a Disney ride than elite athletes, it got me wondering if climbing Everest is eliminating a regret, or creating one.

There is a famous quote from Jon Krakauer, the author of Into Thin Air which chronicled the 1996 Everest disaster. He has said that climbing Everest was “the biggest mistake of his life.” Now, I understand that his perspective was influenced by the trauma he went through. But was it more than that? Was it also because the Everest he envisioned—a pristine wilderness untouched by human hands—had been replaced by a literal dump full of FOMO thrill seekers who had it on their Bucket List?  This got me wondering. Are there other “big ticket” items or life goals that we pursue out of a fear of regret, only to find that they don’t bring the satisfaction we had anticipated?

I am never going to climb Everest. But I think there are lessons here for me about chasing after experiences or achievements without really thinking through the reason I want to do it – and the outcome I hope to achieve. Will I really regret not going to Machu Pichu? Skydiving? Swimming with dolphins? Or are some items on my Bucket List the things I think I want to do because of a childhood fantasy, keeping up with the exploits of friends or, worse, social media influencers?

In most cases, being disappointed by a Bucket List accomplishment doesn’t have the gravitas of dying on Everest. But whatever goals we strive to achieve, there is a cost. Of time. Of money. And maybe, as with Jon Krakauer, an ideal, the pursuit of which became the regret. Choose wisely.

David