Imagine my surprise when, after climbing many stairs, there was barely room for my head.
I haven't climbed many, but I've climbed a few — enough to recall terrors scrambling up rocks, faint delirium from the altitude, and exhilarations at the summit.
As health care costs have climbed, many states have been trying new ways to control spending, including hiring outside companies to overhaul and manage their Medicaid programs.
In the 1980's, when real estate prices began to climb, many families who had inherited houses couldn't afford not to sell, signaling the entry of new families and newer money.
Messner made his first 9,000-foot (2,700m) ascent when he was five years old, and by the time he was in his late teens, he and his younger brother, Gunther, had climbed many of the classic routes in the Dolomites.
With the value of many 401 k)'s and homes taking a beating during the recession and with energy and health care prices climbing, many who dreamed that retirement was just around the corner have reluctantly kicked their retirement plans down the road.
"What makes it interesting is that it came right off one of the two most historic routes in Yosemite Valley," says professional climber Cedar Wright, who worked for Yosemite Search and Rescue for five years and was the first to climb many of Yosemite's most difficult routes.
Even with overall demand climbing, many entrepreneurs will reap sour returns.
With the mercury climbing, many parents will likely be desperate for some air-conditioned entertainment.
He said: "I've not climbed many Munros, but a tally approaching 40 isn't too bad.
