My North Cascades Story - Connecting the Dots

By Eric Hunter-Gale
Climber

When people ask me why I climb mountains I usually respond with a standard answer about personal challenge, health benefits or comeraderie.  But the real reason I climb is so I can play "Connect the Dots!"

Whenever I get a view from a summit in the North Cascades I search the landscape for places I have been in the surrounding mountains, and others I can't wait to visit.  I connect the dots from peak to peak, through forested valleys, across glaciers and over high passes.  I trace my favorite routes and map out my next adventures.

Having so many wild places to explore, so close together, reminds me of migration corridors linked up for the survival of treasured wildlife.  The North Cascades are my chosen habitat and the wilderness areas give me the space I need to thrive.

Photo: Eric on the summit of Mt. Spickard, North Cascades National Park