The spirit of the mountains : alpine adventures and reflections / Ron Hay.

Part one: The allure of the mountains (1. Captivation ; 2. The call of adventure ; 3. The call of beauty ; 4. The call of wildness ; 5. The call of remoteness ; 6. The call of friendship and the big peaks ; 7. The call of service ; 8. The siren song of a single peak ; 9. Family footprints ; 10. My picnic on Mt. Kenya); Part two: Mountains, mystery and meaning (11. Awe and transcendence ; 12. Mountains, mortality and timelessness ; 13. Spiritual responses to the mountains ; 14. Looking back: gifts and glory) -- Postscript: Mountain literature -- Glossary of alpine terms.

A beautifully illustrated combination of personal stories of alpine adventures over five decades and reflections on the spirituality of the mountain world. From student days till retirement, Ron Hay has found adventure and refreshment of spirit amid the peaks and valleys of the Southern Alps. A thoughtful, well-observed contemplation of fifty years of climbs. Written with flair, appreciation for natural grandeur, the joy of shared times and nourishment of spirit imbibed during numinous days in the mountains.