Looking motivational quotes for adventurers? You’re in the right place.
Sometimes we all need a little extra motivation to keep pushing and achieve our goals. Whether you are an avid backpacker, a rock climber, mountaineer, or weekend warrior; these 11 mountain adventure quotes will inspire and motivate.
There is something for everyone. From Muhammad Ali to Alex Lowe we hope you can find an inspirational mountain adventure quote to keep you moving forward and up!
Have a favorite quote of your own? Let us know in the comments below.
11 Mountain Adventure Quotes
- In the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain. ~Jack Kerouac
- The best climber in the world is the one having the most fun. ~Alex Lowe
- One does not climb to attain enlightenment, rather one climbs because they are enlightened. ~Futomaki
- You are not in the mountains. The mountains are in you. ~John Muir
- It is one thing to decide to climb a mountain. It is quite another to be on top of it. ~Herbert A. Simon
- Wildness is a necessity. ~John Muir
- I’d rather be in the mountains thinking of God, than in church thinking about the mountains. ~John Muir
- It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe. ~Muhammad Ali
- Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go. ~T.S. Eliot
- Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing. ~Barry Finlay
- May your dreams be larger than mountains and may you have the courage to scale their summits. ~Harley King
1. One of the 20th century’s greatest vagabond savantes, Jack Kerouac could wax poetic on just about anything. More than anything though, he was a man who saw the value in living at his edge. He was a true mountain climber. And he proves it with this no b.s. mountain adventure quote.
“In the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.”
~Jack Kerouac
2. Although he left this world much too early, Alex Lowe left his mark in spades. One of the earliest extreme alpinists, he was a legend among legends. Some of the greatest climbers and adventurers of our time revered him for his ethic, personality, and pure devotion to mountain climbing. One of the things he was known for most was the infectious joy of climbing he brought to every ascent.
“The best climber in the world is the one having the most fun.”
~Alex Lowe
3. Zen practitioners are often able to endure physical stresses far beyond what someone might experience while climbing or packing. But of course, they are always so ‘zen’ about it.
“One does not climb to attain enlightenment, rather one climbs because they are enlightened.”
~Zen Monk Futomaki
4. Perhaps one of history’s most famous advocates for wilderness and our innate human need to be a part of it, John Muir was a man who practiced what he preached. He would purposely put himself out in the middle nowhere, climb to the top of tall trees during a storm, and generally instilled the grandeur of our natural world into generations upon generations.
“You are not in the mountains, the mountains are in you.”
~John Muir
5. An early researcher into decision making, Herbert A. Simon knew what it took to follow through on your goals. Let his words be both a reflection and battle cry for your next project.
“It is one thing to decide to climb a mountain. It is quite another to be on top of it.”
~Herbert A. Simon
6. As mentioned, when it comes to being out in the wild and living a wild outdoor-oriented life, John Muir was the man. He knew wilderness was imperative for human survival, but he also knew wildness was necessary for a human to be whole.
“Wildness is a necessity.”
~John Muir
7. And again, the original outdoorsman in his own wild words echoing a sentiment many mountaineers and outdoors people in general, have felt pulling at their heart strings at one time or another…
“I’d rather be in the mountains thinking of God, than in church thinking about the mountains.”
~John Muir
8. Muhammad Ali was renowned for his training ethic. He was once quoted saying he hated every minute of training. He was a person who knew that to accomplish anything great, you must get your mindset right first. Same goes for mountain climbing, if you let it, a pebble can destroy your entire ascent. Remember the words of the champ next time you hit a bump in the road, and keep pushing forward.
“It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; its the pebble in your shoe.”
~Muhammad Ali
9. One of the great poets and writers of our time, T.S. Eliot was not one to shy away from hard work. Take this quote with you as you find your edge in your wilderness.
“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go.”
~T.S. Eliot
10. One of the most famous mountain adventure quotes for motivation…
“Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing.”
~Barry Finlay
11. And one for the road to keep your dreams big and your next summit around the corner.
“May your dreams be larger than mountains and may you have the courage to scale their summits.”
~Harley King
Hopefully you found something inspiring in this list of 11 mountain adventure quotes.
What is your favorite quote?
