The accumulation of stuff

Ah stuff. We are surrounded by stuff. Stuff to make us feel good, stuff that allows us to do stuff. Actually say stuff enough times and the word starts sounding abstract, like stuff.

Stuff is getting expensive for high altitude climbing. No surprises there, mountaineering is never going to be a cheap pastime. Not when you justify spending the scores of money on the instance that that one piece of stuff may just come to your resuce. Other stuff becomes dispensable as you plan the quickest exit off the mountain, which naturally ramps up the price.

Some of the stuff I have recently acquired I would not otherwise need for climbing in NZ. Stuff like a 4 season tent, a single skin high altitude tent, high altitude boots, a water filter, a second sleeping mat.. Then there is the stuff that I should have had but have until this time been trying to avoid buying; like an altimeter, proper glacier sunglasses and walking poles..

Then the sensible question is what is the opportunity cost of this stuff! Savings on a house deposit, savings on a relationship not put on hold again, savings on a safer more sedentary life.. Ah but none of the above gives the feeling that is experienced when standing successfully on the top of a mountain.