Editor's Page

(Response to "A Good Cry", April, Women's Edge.)

I read all of the sections on your web site.

I guess that Leigh McGuigan hasn't read many of John Long's books. In a couple, including Rock Jocks, Wall Rats, & Hang Dogs, he mentions first hand accounts of Men being very afraid and bawling their eyes out while leading.

So what's the big deal, society's brainwashing I guess.

Orvil Fields

I found it interesting that you stereotyped the male climber as a macho, chauvanistic brute prone to gastrointestinal diatribes. As a male gynecologist I am a bit shellshocked by the idea that women hold a monopoly on sensitivity and that a woman can only have a truely equal relationship with another woman. Perhaps I am missing something. In my own experience, I have found that there is a continuum of "male/female" qualities in every person. No I am not gay.

(By the way...I can't believe you haven't been propositioned. Be that as it may I would be glad to proposition you so that you will not feel left out..just kidding of course) Take care...Aldara

(Response to "the Parent Trap", in our April edition.)

Well, you have raised an interesting question. Does one give up what they once lived for the minute they get married or have a kid? Well, of the 100's of climbers that I know, several of them have started families. Some of them switched over to much more mild hobbies such as church league softball and golf. And some have not.

This I believe is a personal decision, however, there is an element of risk that is involved in every day life. That is unavoidable. People die, even nice people die. That is just the way it is.

Personally, knowing that I will die someday, I hope I do go down in a way that won't be remembered. The only way I could justify giving up mountaineering for a family is that knowing that if I died doing it, then maybe that might hurt my family's love for the outdoors and adventure. I would definitely hope that if i did die in a mountaineering accident my family would still do it if they wanted. As far as Alex Lowe goes, his life was the mountains, they were a part of his family too. So it is not our place to wonder how he could justify what some called death defying acts. If we all decided to give up climbing because of a death here or there we might just as well die now. Adios, Cam S.

To the editor,

Jason Shappart