Climbing Mount Olympus by Mary Lynne Dittmar

Excerpt: “A couple of weeks ago, a typically thoughtful @waynehale tweet asked if Scott’s climb was “exploration” in the same sense that the shuttle represents exploration. …… Are they the same? No. But there are some basic components that are shared across all of these types of exploration – the need to focus, to optimize energy expenditures, to utilize tools in new ways, to persist, to think creatively, and to work with others as a team. Most of all, exploration pushes us to look at the universe around us and at ourselves with new eyes, branding us with the experience. If we are lucky and skilled and adaptable enough to reach the summit, it is no less a feat for the disabled individual re-learning how to function in their environment than it was for the astronauts servicing the Hubble or for the good Dr. Parazynski on Everest today. Godspeed Atlantis, Scott, and brother Bob. It has been our privilege to climb Olympus through your eyes.” [Full essay]
Excerpt: “A couple of weeks ago, a typically thoughtful @waynehale tweet asked if Scott’s climb was “exploration” in the same sense that the shuttle represents exploration. …… Are they the same? No. But there are some basic components that are shared across all of these types of exploration – the need to focus, to optimize energy expenditures, to utilize tools in new ways, to persist, to think creatively, and to work with others as a team. Most of all, exploration pushes us to look at the universe around us and at ourselves with new eyes, branding us with the experience. If we are lucky and skilled and adaptable enough to reach the summit, it is no less a feat for the disabled individual re-learning how to function in their environment than it was for the astronauts servicing the Hubble or for the good Dr. Parazynski on Everest today. Godspeed Atlantis, Scott, and brother Bob. It has been our privilege to climb Olympus through your eyes.” [Full essay]