Peaks.

The contours dictated the terms of the contract between physical forces or processes and the lay of the land. The agreement, here, was represented by the harshness of the slopes as well as the tough climatic conditions, putting up barriers to progress by man, or beast.
The reality of what was before you was clear at the start of any journey, of any length. To forge in-roads into the " interior " was difficult, to the absolute maximum. Testing every facet of the will to advance anywhere. It took courage and fortitude to decide to move yourself, with assistance, to any position at all. Beyond the lowlands. Mountainous pursuits were perceived as the ultimate challenging preoccupation. With increasing fitness, and, pedigree spirit, far removed from the everyday, always required.
The gradients were only to produce the steepest learning curves. That, was why he needed to be , there. For, feelings of self-worth. And, to the on-looker, an innate  " Death Wish " !  So many had foreseen this coming, as the years dedicated to the " service " of the commercial sector bore cruel testimony. Statements of intent were frequently made, by him, or around him, indicating this, to be the case.
So, he was to align himself with the position of one who wished to escape  obligations, of a ruthless elite, only concerned with getting something for nothing. He felt it was better to throw yourself into the rigours of danger, in the wilderness, rather than fight these " thieves of the night " ! Plundering, from you , all your creativity, to claim as there own. Leaving you absent of rewards for doing the work.  They, stole those, time and time again, to harm the future. And, desire to try to achieve at any workplace. At, any site where profit was to be accrued for developments. As well as common purpose.
The will to be somewhere where they could not go was pallbable. Long before any real signs of preparation to embark on the exploration, of a lifetime. To, meet destiny on ones own terms. Separated from the smooth, silent criminal elements, robbing everybody blind. The detachment from the horror of what was believed to be business, was refreshing soul-searching examination, beyond the alarming denial of the facts, within " civilization. " By, turning your back on what matters most.
All, was to end, there, within the corruption, at the mercy of squalor of optimum depravity, for " want of a buck " ! Any integrity abandoned, completely, to embrace a " final solution, " to everybody's misery. A leap of faith into the cavernous abyss, preferable, to being used. Beyond belief.
In his eyes everything was as crystal-clear as a mountain stream. And, as  fulfilling in nature, once sampled. It, was better to be lost in the terrain of " evolution, " and, the Big Bang, than to suffer any more. At the hands of despotic tyrannical regimes. With no morals or values whatsoever. But, only the " stupidity " to cause destruction of all, that each generation throughout history had strived so earnestly to build.
An end, in the arms of Natures Glory, a fitting declaration against worsening evil, beyond evil. Devoid of reasoning. Unable to foresee the inevitable. And, there, in Gods own country, he was sure to find, liberation. A freeing of heart, and soul. To, finally be, what he thought he could. A man satisfied with his own skin. And, able to look at himself, in the mirror, or in highest waters.