Thursday, July 26, 2007

Climate change: are we going to make it?

A few weeks ago, I flipped through Al Gore's book. Summary: the prognosis is not good. We're in a *lot* of trouble, and we'd better do something about climate change. Quickly.

Since then, I've been reading about the impact of climate change on our world. The Green movement is gathering steam, and more and more companies are jumping on the bandwagon. Is that going to be enough, though?

John Doerr doesn't think so.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

More fascinating stuff

The journey of mankind. Click here.

Note: Still on my history binge, will be back with posts soon. In the meantime, wouldn't it be fascinating if the information above could be combined with a language history of the world? Anyone know a website that does that?

Friday, July 13, 2007

Escape to the Eiger

Hinterstoisser Traverse. Swallow's Nest. Death Bivouac. Traverse of the Gods. Higher, past these hazards, the White Spider awaits the next climber. This is one of the most feared faces in the world, the North Face of the Eiger. Considered unclimbable for a century, it holds a very special place in climbing lore.

I saw it for the first time exactly a year ago. Directly below the North Wall stand the four or five buildings that make up the village of Kleine Scheidegg. One of these buildings is the Restaurant Eigernordwand (literally, Eiger North Wall), while another is the grand old Scheidegg Hotel. Once upon a time, a telescope sitting on the patio of the restaurant was the only relatively reliable way to keep track of climbers on the Face. Sitting on that patio, reading White Spider and seeing that Face looming over me every time I looked up, is one of the most unforgettable experiences I've ever had. A great memory and to me, one that would not have been possible without "being there" reading.

If you're a "being there" reader, please leave a comment and share your stories.

More reading: Guardian's Great Escapes, Part 1, Guardian's Great Escapes, Part 2.

Related posts: White Spider.