>>2528632You're on to something with the fishing comparison. It's not "just" snow and rocks and ice. When climbing up a mountain you absolute do see lots of animals. On one day on Mt. Rainier I saw chipmunks, grouse, pipits, marmots, squirrels, mountain goats - the mountains are very much alive. You are also actively and physically exploring, even if it's in a different way from how you would explore a forest or a reef. Strange ice formations, interesting rocks, alien and exciting escarpments, and of course the majesty of the mountain itself. Finally the change in view as you ascend is extremely rewarding just from the beauty of it. I guess it's impossible in some sense to explain an interest to someone who doesn't enjoy the same things you do unfortunately but my answer to "why not explore a more vibrant biome like a coral reef" is, why not both? Every part of nature has something of its own to enjoy beyond simply being there.
