As you'd expect, I get a lot of questions and comments here on GORP; obviously, there are a lot of you out there enjoying the game of climbing and gathering as much information as you can.

	Don Mellor Don Mellor Don Mellor has been climbing, writing about climbing, and teaching climbing for more than 25 years. Meet Don Expert Answers

Most of the questions are good and thoughtful ones about gear and techniques. These are easy. Others are wonderfully naive, deeply philosophical, or written after too many beers. I'm never quite sure what to do with these. Some of my favorites:

Question: Are there any debates going on in whether to have mountain climbing? What are some of them?

Question: Do you ever fear that you might fall when climbimg a snowy mountain?

Question: What is Mountain Climbing? What is recreational activities? What is recreation?

Answers: Let's see. The only debates on"whether to have mountain climbing" usually occur in my kitchen. Fear of falling off a snowy mountain? You bet—every step of the way. Fear is at the root of our attraction and it keeps us healthy. Great question. As for "what is climbing? what is recreation." Wow...things to ponder as summer wanes.

Finally, one really good comment came in that had something to say about my so-called "expert" status here on GORP:

Comment: "No such thing as an 'expert' because those are the people who don't want to admit they don't know everything, because then they wouldn't be an 'expert.'" —President Harry Truman

Peel away the attitude here, and there's important wisdom. And here's the admission that I don't know everything . . . far from it. But I'll tell you one thing: I have learned a lot from researching the questions and considering the comments. Thanks to all of you.

—Don

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