Why We Climb is a celebration, in word & image, of those aspects of the climbing life that are most universal, meaningful, & long lasting- the strong connection to partners & nature; the physical & mental mastery required (and how to achieve it); the rewards of exploring oneself & the world through climbing. Through interviews with some of North America`s most notable climbers the book undertakes a quest to find the soul of climbing- asking what compels men & women to dedicate their lives to the challenges & deprivations of living in a vertical world? What are the sacrifices & what are the rewards? & most importantly, can the lessons learned on cliff faces, frozen waterfalls, & alpine peaks- lessons of respect, discipline, commitment, humility & simplicity-be brought home & used to benefit society as a whole?