When Climbing asked the legendary Colorado climber Pat Ament to help us with a Perspective piece, he gave us such deep, thoughtful, well-reasoned answers that we decided to post this interview with him in its entirety. Ament (patament.com) also provided us with these shots of him, past and present. 

Q: Date of Birth?
A: September 3, 1946 

Q: Where do you live?
A: Fruita, Colorado 

Q: Profession?
A: Writer, artist, musician, photographer 

Q: What kind of person are you? (stubborn? funny? sad? anxious? witty? charismatic? angry?)
A: I am deeply touched by the world, suffer melancholy on one level while on another the elation of artistic sensitivity and passion. I have endless energy for the various artistic endeavors I pursue, a kind of Renaissance man, as people call me. I am keen and caring with family and friends but have little hope for the world in general. At times much of humanity seems to be, as comedian George Carlin describes it, “a species gone bad.” 

I am subject to many emotions at once. I might feel greatly joyful about how a certain creative project is going while at that instant also feel sad about Tibetans being persecuted or Iraqis dying in droves or our soldiers or other calamities throughout the world as a result of stupidity, greed, and wickedness in high places. I tend to carry the troubles of the world on my shoulders. I am perpetually struck by the fact that life is so swift, that we speed through so quickly, while at the same time grateful I have had so many incredible experiences to make it rich. I have always had remarkable friends. 

They say I’m hard to read. Sometimes anguish may take on the appearance of calm or joviality, whereas when I am happy I may take on the demeanor of a rogue. Those of most worth will, I trust, know me intuitively and appreciate at least something about who I am, however my life manifests itself at the moment. 

If I could pin down a feeling or type of behavior that seems more me than any other, it might be deep creative reflection combined with a love for life in all its diversity and trickery.