The Aspirant

This is the black and white interior version of The Aspirant which is also available as a full color paperback. At age 15 Roger Beaudoin's fascination with the Matterhorn was seeded. On a family trip to Disneyland, he stood in awe before a 300 foot high replica of the Alps' most famous mountain peak. Later in 1988, as graduate student on holiday, he saw the real Matterhorn for the first time on a train to Zermatt, seated among a throng of mountain climbers. If they can do it, he thought, he could too, and he determined he would summit it someday. His dream became a 10 year obsession that led a naïve young hiker back to Europe. He was ill prepared, even ill dressed for his first long hike along a dangerous trail that led from Zermatt. Hours later, only good luck spared him from his lack of experience, and he soon understood the depth of preparation needed to develop safe climbing skills. His growing respect for the task led to the ever-increasing knowledge needed to undertake the climb. After all, since Edward Whymper's first Matterhorn ascent, the climb led too many others to their death. "I was set on attempting to summit the Matterhorn," Beaudoin said. "but I was intimidated, fearful, and put obstacles in my own path. I learned that with basic fitness, instruction and an expert guide, I could challenge even a world-class peak. From the Tetons of Wyoming to the Alps of Europe, there are endless challenges and beauty to be discovered in the mountains. My hope is that The Aspirant will inspire other hikers and outdoor enthusiasts to climb." For those who hope to, The Aspirant is filled with technical tips, terms and explanations, practical advice, travel suggestions, and hard-won, inside knowledge. While The Aspirant is about a mountain and a climb, Beaudoin's journey is a metaphor for his readers. It is the story of single-minded determination to summit the Matterhorn which the author did, twice. It is about staying with a goal. "Everyone has their own 'Matterhorn' in life," says Beaudoin, "whether yours is a mountain or an ambition. Pursue it as long as it takes, no matter how difficult. Taking on the unknown teaches you about yourself, and your life is fuller for it."