About Useless Conquests

My official introduction:  I'm originally from Toronto, Canada.  Six years ago I moved to the United States to attend law school and have been living and working down south ever since.  
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That period of my life has come to an end.
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When I left Canada, I promised myself and my family I'd return, and earlier this year I put that plan in motion by interviewing for a job back home.  But the new gig didn't start for several months and so when I was offered the position, I was left with the possibility of time away from all work-related responsibility if I so desired.  
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For various reasons I jumped at the opportunity.  I've since left my old post and decided to head off on a big adventure, literally traveling around the world -- climbing, hiking, visiting friends, etc. -- returning to Toronto when it's time to begin the next phase of my life.  
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I hope this blog will tell my story in the meantime.
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The focus of my trip is climbing (alpine, rock, ice).  I'm late to the sport but what I lack in skill and experience I make up for in enthusiasm. I plan on climbing in the Cascades, Whites, Andes, Patagonia, New Zealand, and China, and blogging my experiences along the way.    
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Which brings me to my title:  Useless Conquests.  It's a reference to the great French mountaineer Lionel Terray's autobiography, Conquistadors of the Useless.  I don't know what Terray had in mind when he used the phrase, but for me, it's a reminder to keep perspective. 

Climbing fun.