Mountain Life
  • Daily Content
    • Trips & Expeditions
    • Climbing
    • Mountain Biking
    • Mountain Lifer
    • Multiplicity
    • On The Trail
    • Paddling
    • Photography
    • Skiing
    • Snowboarding
    • Stay & Play
    • Surfing
    • The Great Outdoors
    • The ML Interview
    • Travel
  • GEAR
  • VIDEOS
  • STORE
  • Magazines
    • ML Coast Mountains
    • ML Rocky Mountains
    • Vie En Montagne
    • ML Blue Mountains
    • ML Annual
    • ML Subscriptions
  • ABOUT
    • What is ML?
    • Our Team
    • Newsletter
    • Adventure Grant
    • Distribution
  • Podcast
  • Contests
  • CONTACT
    • ML Agency
    • Advertising
    • Contribute
Subscription Form

Get notified of the best News

Social Links
Instagram 22K Followers
Facebook 25K Likes
Twitter 5K Followers
Pinterest 1K Followers
Vimeo 34 Followers
LinkedIn 0
22K Followers
25K Likes
5K Followers
1K Followers
Mountain Life
Mountain Life
  • Daily Content
    • Trips & Expeditions
    • Climbing
    • Mountain Biking
    • Mountain Lifer
    • Multiplicity
    • On The Trail
    • Paddling
    • Photography
    • Skiing
    • Snowboarding
    • Stay & Play
    • Surfing
    • The Great Outdoors
    • The ML Interview
    • Travel
  • GEAR
  • VIDEOS
  • STORE
  • Magazines
    • ML Coast Mountains
    • ML Rocky Mountains
    • Vie En Montagne
    • ML Blue Mountains
    • ML Annual
    • ML Subscriptions
  • ABOUT
    • What is ML?
    • Our Team
    • Newsletter
    • Adventure Grant
    • Distribution
  • Podcast
  • Contests
  • CONTACT
    • ML Agency
    • Advertising
    • Contribute
  • Videos

Ellipse — Once more around the sun, please.

  • July 8, 2013
  • Leslie Anthony
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
Share 0
Share 0
Mt. Cayley, Squamish, BC. MARK GRIBBON PHOTO.
Mt. Cayley, Squamish, BC. MARK GRIBBON PHOTO.

Living in the courts of the sky I forgot I was of the earth

—Lionel Terray, Conquistadors of the Useless

by Leslie Anthony

Not much really happens in a year when you’re the Earth. You might feel a little hot or cold here and there; you may get mildly annoyed when your tectonic skin ripples or occasionally erupts in a fiery zit. But other than shedding a bit of weight from time to time, the mountains tend to stand stoically where they were. And the oceans, even as they otherwise change in response to whatever else is going on, wash relentlessly on the same shores. In other words, while small things are in constant flux, the big picture more-or-less stands still. We humans might discover a few wrinkles or a grey hair after 30 years or so, but were our planet able to look itself in the mirror, it would be tens of millions of years before it might think Oh my, did that continent used to be so far over there? Was that mountain range always so pronounced? So while the Earth is nevertheless ageing, it presents as somewhat immutable in the context of our own short lives, a fallacy and point of hubris that is deservedly bringing us increasing trouble.

Of course plenty transpires for people during that single circuit around the sun. We see each new year as a milestone marking the progression of four seasons and all that go with them—a full cycle of plant growth and die-off, of animal migration and reproduction, of human life, death, pain, pleasure, accomplishment, setback. When we think back over a year and try to balance all that has happened, a few things—both good and bad—will always stick out. But there’s also a lot of same ol’ same ol’—a not-so-bad thing that speaks to some continuity in our lives. Likewise, when you try to balance a year in the world of outdoor adventure—the way ephemeral humanity most directly interacts with a slowly evolving Earth—you’ll find highs, lows and continuity galore throughout the different mediums (dirt, rock, water, air, snow), seasons, landscapes, personalities and social and environmental issues accompanying each. Putting all of this in some kind of perspective is the stated goal of Mountain Life Annual.

So when the universe asks How was the year?, the Earth probably won’t have an answer… but we will.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
Share 0
Share 0
Related Topics
  • Environment
  • Leslie Anthony
Leslie Anthony

Previous Article
  • The Great Outdoors

Introducing Canada’s Newest Outside Voice

  • July 1, 2013
  • Todd Lawson
View Post
Next Article
  • On The Trail

Well Connected: The Trans-Canada Trail

  • July 9, 2013
  • Ned Morgan
View Post
You May Also Like
Wachs_Fairly-Mellow
View Post
  • Skiing
  • Videos

Friday Flick: “Fairly Mellow” at Fairy Meadow Hut

  • Ned Morgan
  • January 20, 2023
Camp_credit_Jerome_Tanon-The-North-Face
View Post
  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • Trips & Expeditions
  • Videos

Friday Flick: Free Rider

  • Ned Morgan
  • December 30, 2022
View Post
  • Mountain Lifer
  • Skiing
  • Videos

Friday Flick: Santa Rips

  • Sarah Bulford
  • December 23, 2022
The-North-Face-Nevia-paraglider
View Post
  • Trips & Expeditions
  • Videos

Friday Flick: Nevia

  • Ned Morgan
  • December 2, 2022
alpacka_archives
View Post
  • Paddling
  • Videos
  • Women

Friday Flick: Sheri

  • Ned Morgan
  • November 18, 2022
Helly-Hansen-ski-patroller-Big-Sky-carrying-signs
View Post
  • Mountain Lifer
  • Skiing
  • Videos

Friday Flick: Ski Patrol at 11,166 Feet

  • Editor
  • October 21, 2022
Labatts-Blue-SUP-Camping-trip
View Post
  • Videos

Labatt Blue and the Lost Art of the Niche-Sports TV Ad

  • Ned Morgan
  • October 11, 2022
katielo-nexusstillasset-alaska-8355
View Post
  • Skiing
  • Trips & Expeditions
  • Videos
  • Women

Friday Flick: Nexus Trailer + Interview with Director Shannon Corsi

  • Ned Morgan
  • October 7, 2022

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Featured Posts
  • Mountain-Life-Coast-Mountains-Winter-2023 1
    ML Coast Mountains Winter-Spring ’23 Issue Out Now
    • February 3, 2023
  • Saint-Lawrence-ice-canoe-Jean-Anderson 2
    Jean Anderson: 40 Years of Ice Canoeing
    • January 31, 2023
  • CHOK-Images-RAB-Avril-2022 3
    Chic-Chocs: True Eastern Alpine
    • February 2, 2023
  • Life-Time-Grand-Prix-gravel-bike 4
    New Docuseries Profiles the World’s Elite Off-Road Cyclists
    • January 30, 2023
  • Fjallraven-Nuuk-Parka-daniel-blom-photo_jacket 5
    Gear Shed: Multisport Winter Roundup
    • January 26, 2023
RECENT POSTS
  • L'Hymne-des-Trembles-Laurentians-Quebec
    L’Hymne des Trembles: Uncompromising Laurentian Skiing
    • January 27, 2023
  • Brian-Hockenstein-surfing-Iceland-water-and-ice-ML
    In the Land of Water & Ice
    • January 24, 2023
  • Marie-Pier-Desharnais-A-Womans-Experience-on-K2-flag-crop
    Marie-Pier Desharnais: A Woman’s Experience on K2
    • January 23, 2023
Social Links
Instagram 22K Followers
Facebook 25K Likes
Twitter 5K Followers
Pinterest 1K Followers
Vimeo 34 Followers
LinkedIn 0
INSTAGRAM
mountainlifemedia
22K Followers
Live It Up EP 22 is OUT NOW!
NEW ML Coast Mountains Winter-Spring ’23 Issue is OUT NOW! 🙌
There are some first times that we will always remember. Like the time I skied off-piste through the alpine highlands of le parc national de la Gaspésie.
@shimizuimg getting those January goods ❄️ #mountainlifer
With four decades of ice canoeing under his belt, Jean Anderson has dominated a sport that's unique to Quebec and that he helped shape.
Featuring three gravel and three MTB events, the series explores the intense competition and love of the sport among 60 of the world’s premier cyclists.
Winter commute with #mountainlifer @michelle_pittam ❄️🚵‍♀️🌲
@lhymnedestrembles.ca is no mirage. Set in the lush Laurentian forest, yet easily accessible (less than an hour and a half from Montreal), this luxurious ski-in ski-out residential resort by @groupebrivia is nestled at the foot of the Versant Soleil side of Mont Tremblant. The Tremblant region is a perennial destination for outdoor enthusiasts from around the world, and within the province, attracting 3.5 million visitors annually.
ML staff and gear partners highlight the latest jackets, boards, crampons, hoodies, insoles and bindings in alpha order. #Linkinbio to learn more!
Adventures like this one require an inspiring team. @timemmett is a longtime friend, adventure partner and extraordinary human; an explorer, pro climber, surfer, freediver—you name it. @luca.freediver is an incredibly talented freediver, fresh off breaking the Canadian national freediving record (85 metres). The fourth man on the team, @brianhockenstein, is a filmmaker and multi-talented snowboarder always ready to jump into the fray and capture the magic. - words Jimmy Martinello. #Linkinbio to learn more!
Follow

Subscribe

Subscribe now to our newsletter

Live It Up EP 22 is OUT NOW!
NEW ML Coast Mountains Winter-Spring ’23 Issue is OUT NOW! 🙌
There are some first times that we will always remember. Like the time I skied off-piste through the alpine highlands of le parc national de la Gaspésie.
@shimizuimg getting those January goods ❄️ #mountainlifer
With four decades of ice canoeing under his belt, Jean Anderson has dominated a sport that's unique to Quebec and that he helped shape.
Featuring three gravel and three MTB events, the series explores the intense competition and love of the sport among 60 of the world’s premier cyclists.
Mountain Life
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Advertising

Input your search keywords and press Enter.