Making the best of a local maximum

It's less about where you are and more about what you do while there

Imagine for a moment you are walking in a dense forest. Towering trees obscure the sky, and little light penetrates the woodland floor. Soon, you come to a steep hill and decide to climb it. Up and up you go, weaving through the trees and the brush. Steeper you climb, using both hands and feet to ascend the treacherous terrain.

Dang - you mean there are higher ones? Image by Alfred Aloushy, via Unsplash.

Finally, you make it to the top, but there is no view. The peak is as forested as the valley below, concealing what undoubtedly is a spectacular view. Still, you feel this must be the highest peak around. But there's only one way to know for sure.

You find the tallest tree and begin to climb even higher.

Hand over hand, you scale through the branches. Finally, emerging from the canopy, the sun hits your face, and for a moment, you rejoice. But elation is short-lived. Looming before you is a mountain much taller than where you are now.