Notes from the top

Continued from p.64… knee, which we tore apart and shared with great enthusiasm.

Going to the Piolets this time reminded me how easily and how joyfully the mountain community can come together. It also reminded me that now, more than ever, when ultra-conservatism and cries of Nationalism are closing borders down, we need to come together to celebrate something. And what better than cutting edge alpinism that showcases the possibilities and limitations of human achievement. Seems worthy of a $140 toll fee, a pig’s knee and a shot of vodka to me.

Joanna Croston is a climber, skier and writer. She is the Programming Director of the Banff Mountain Film & Book Festival, a representative for the International Alliance for Mountain Film and a member of the Mountain Culture Committee for the Alpine Club of Canada.