Stairway to the heavens

I've always thought of the mountains as being the stairway to the heavens. I have never had any particular fondness for beaches, whether they be tropical or not. The mountains have always been the place I wanted to be. ITs hard work climbing mountains. We reached the pseudo-summit of several peaks this summer and I have never been pushed so hard physically before. But I guess I should not expect climbing the 'stairways' to the heavens to be easy. Yet its worth it.