Alpinists once studied a mountain peak for several years before ever attempting to summit. Practicing ice pick falls, complicated rope knots, and quick-release oxygen mask techniques, becoming a true alpinist required more than just physical strength and route memorization, it demanded respect for Mother Nature herself. 

Good alpinists, like Nirmal Purja, Conrad Anker, and Will Gadd, respect the prowess of the mountain, recognize their finite limits, and always pack out their trash. Summiting a mountain used to be more than a simple achievement, it was a spiritual, transcendent experience. 

While there are still purist alpinists out there who bow at the foot of the mountain with adoration, reverence, and humility, social media has tainted the way that climbers approach alpinism. In search of another checkmark on their trendy to-do list, influencers and social media adventurers have forgotten the true spirit of mountain climbing. Now, they clutter the peaks with survivalist trash and broken selfie sticks instead.

Via u/getlostwebsite