“Given the proper incentive, no mountain, it seems, is too high to climb, no current too swift to swim, if one is a Cherokee.”

“I went into geology because I like being outdoors, and because everybody in geology seemed, well, they all seemed like free spirits or renegades or something. You know, climbing mountains and hiking deserts and stuff.”

“Too many non-achievers confuse humility with humiliation.”

“I had never climbed a mountain, but standing at the bottom, looking at the summit, thinking, “How the fuck am I going to make it?” was pointless.”

“im eaisly influenced by others Do's and Don'ts. How can they bring me up so high, an sink me down like a stone?”

“Love is quite violent. It is so painful at times, so devastating. And there is nothing worse or better. We find the highs and lows equally unbearable. But then again, the absence of them is more so.”

“I dont know why they call it heartbreak. It feels like every part of my body is broken too. ”