Attending a slide show from renowned climber John Bouchard, I asked what he carried in his pack. "Candy bars and sweaters," was his classic reply. 

"Skiing trails is clearly a different game than other kinds of skiing, and fabulous technique counts less than nerve and craftiness. If you have a lot of nerve, the ultimate unrestrained way to ski trails, of course, is to schuss the trail until things get desperate and then sit down".  Steve Barnett,  Cross-Country-Downhill

"Every morning was a cheerful invitation to make my life of equal simplicity, and I may say innocence, with nature herself. " - Thoreau, from Walden

"Of course we new nothing in those days of pitons or other protection. Our philosophy was the Geoffry Young British attitude -- the leader just can't make a mistake!" -- Jim Goodwin 1938.

"John (Case) was an excellent climber, though he knew nothing of piton use or even how to rappel. John and I thought we could make that top barrier on Wallface  ... the route became pretty exposed and perhaps my fears persuaded John to back down about 50 vertical feet from the top." -- Jim Goodwin

The whole kneeling trailing figure was coming around in a beautiful right curve, crouching, the legs shot forward and back, the poles accenting the curves like points of light, all in a wild cloud of snow. - part two of E. H. "Cross Country Snow"

Nick Adams looked up the hill. George was coming down in telemark position, kneeling; one leg forward and bent, he other trailing; his sticks hanging like some insects thin legs, kicking up puffs of snow as they touched the surface. - part one of E. H. "Cross Country Snow"

If the dominant reason for climbing is to achieve fame or beat a rival, if there is no pleasure without success, the temptation to ignore danger maybe irresistible; but if the mountains and a love of climbing as a means of giving expression to that feeling, reasonable prudence is likely to prevail" - Eric Shipton

"Give me the man who knows something of himself and is appalled." - C. P. Snow

"When logic and intuition agree, you are always right." - Salada Tea Bag

"When in doubt, run it out" - Ken Reville's advice when starting off on an intense rock climb.