Comments on: Talking About Life

By: Brad Killough

Brad Killough — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 02:09:12 +0000

Greating’s,
I just wanted to thank you and Dean for being so gracious and so pioneering in the sport and life of climbing! You both have been such an inspiration to my son and I! My son and I met Dean at a get together at Foster Falls Tn. several years ago and we enjoyed talking with Dean and it really impressed us when he came up the trail the next day and stoped and said ” Hi, Brad & Bradley, and that really meant something to my son and I. That’s all he had time to talk and he had to go because a bunch of people were chasing after him. Tell Dean That Brad & Bradley said hi will you, please? What I’m trying to say is it’s so good that you and dean are such grounded and good people, and you’ve not let the spotlight chase away the real person in you, so thank’s for staying true! We did see you and Lynn at that same gathering but we were to scaired to say hi so hello and please know that some of us in the southeastern U.S. appreciate all you and Dean have brought to the sport of spiritual climbing, Thank you!

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 06:17:50 +0000

Wow. I have to say I’ve been wanting to write a similar email to steph as well for these last few months about a very similar topic. Wow, it’s so amazingly nice to know that there are other people in the world at the same crossroads in time with the same struggles and same questions. Thanks so much for being brave and for all of you for taking your time to write and reply. It really appreciate it.

(another) Steph

By: Zirkel

Zirkel — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 14:52:51 +0000

Nice reply, Steph.

I think (few) people truly struggle in their search for authenticity in their lives. Although I’ve pursued a similar lifestyle during the past 20 or so years (Antarctica, Yosemite, Outward Bound, etc), I’ve done so without concern (financial and otherwise) for my future. This is where I see the self-promotion and pursuit of sponsorships as being valuable.

Your advice is golden and it’s obvious that people want to hear more of it. This alone could be a topic for your next book.

By: Ann

Ann — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 01:15:10 +0000

Hey Steph,

I met you briefly in Burlington, VT a few years ago and went to high school with Dean. I wanted to let you know that I thought your book was written with grace, eloquence and passion. Your perspectives are genuine and heartfelt, quite unlike most other testosterone-driven accounts of climbing and mountaineering. Thank you.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 21:49:49 +0000

wow. that is really inspiring to me as well and I can totally relate to being torn between passions to climb and excell in that area versus a more traditional life. I am in the crossroads as well:)

By: steph

steph — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 21:07:21 +0000

From: Irina
Sent: Sat 12/29/07 9:47 AM

Thank you Steph! You definitely made my day; and a few more to come ahead.
You are so right about not expecting too much from others, in terms of
emotional support. When one only has expectations from his/her own person,
the surrounding world can suddenly appear as a very nice place.

I’ll keep on visiting your blog and hope to meet you again in person some
day.
Irina

By: john

john — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 03:04:25 +0000

Great post. I really enjoy your site and blog.

…sometimes I can’t believe this life was given to fly

By: Ben

Ben — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 18:48:36 +0000

Wow, amazing post. Truly inspiring.