Poll: Are You a Peak Bagger?

Near as I can tell, there are three kinds of people in this world: those who make lists, those who make lists of their lists, and those who don’t make…wait, who doesn’t make lists? For us you in the second category, and, okay, the first, the internet and its apps are a boon, a rabbit hole, and a source of both inspiration and obsession. If you’re a peak bagger, which means a list maker, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

For example, if you happen to register at Peakbagger.com and record some of your climbs, the website will deviously-kindly sort these climbs into other lists, which is a nice little service that inevitably leads to you adding more peaks to your must-climb list, as well as fueling the nagging, anxious sense that at the rate you’re going you’ll never get to all of those Chemeketan Eighteen Northwest Peaks, of which you’ve only climbed three, or 16.67 percent, or the High Points of Counties Crossed by the Pacific Crest Trail, of which you’ve only banged off six out of 45.

By “you,” of course, I mean “me.”

“Peak bagging” connotes a certain obsession with carving notches on your belt, with ticking off high points just to say that you did, regardless of the experience. And no doubt, there are plenty of climbs pursued because of the list itself (Seven Summits, if the shoe fits…). But as anyone who assiduously nurtures their life list knows, there is tremendous power in goal-setting, in the accountability of putting it down on paper, or in Evernote, or on Peakbagger. The list is a promise to yourself and a kick in the pants, too.

So, peaks. Do you climb them whenever, however, and whyever the impulse strikes? Or are you a peak bagger?

[polldaddy poll=9481481]

WIN SMITH SUNGLASSES JUST BY VOTING
This week, one poll participant will receive Smith Optic’s Lowdown sunglasses. We’ll pick the winner via random number generator (and announce it here) – all you have to do to enter is vote and leave a comment so we have your email to contact you. Must have a U.S. or Canadian address. Contest ends Sunday, July 31, 2016, at midnight PST.

LDCPBRMT