It doesn't matter who reaches the top of the mountain first because eventually we will all be buried beneath it. We're just racing towards death. If you're always trying to reach the top, you never really get there. There will always be another peak to climb, and you can't stay above tree line forever. Also, the hail storm in the valley won't last forever. So you hunker down and ride it out. Finally, if the journey is the destination, you'll always be on top of the mountain.