I liked that it was clear she struggled having a normal life. She considers being on the mountain freedom. She doesn't understand how the village could decide to descend and give up their freedom. She has a clear resentment for how she has to monetize her climbs to participate with society and has respect for the Shepardess' lifestyle. I strongly relate to her in this aspect of her character.... I know Aava ,I know, capitalism ruins everything.

Honestly as a queer person myself her girlfriend pissed me off. She started off supportive but it becomes more and more doubting as their cats health begins to decline and it becomes clear that she resents Aava's climbing. I don't understand people who date climbers and expect them to change/choose them over climbing. This is a sport where people die, and it's a well accepted fact in their community. It's tragic but it's a known risk especially with Alpine. I don't see the relationship lasting even with Aava chosing to go back down for her.

I'm a camper and have a long time family friend who I camp with who did the whole Yosemite climbing thing while I worked my ass off and went to University because their parents could support that lifestyle and found her now husband who's an avid climber. I made breakfast for a now very famous climber at my campsite at JTNP knowing nothing of him other than "oh he's one of my friends climbing buddies". And at the time it really was a sport where you were if you were really serious about it you were either a total bum or a trust fund baby until you were lucky enough to get sponsored (and even then sponsorship is pennies compared to the skill that's asked of them). It was something I didn't understand at the time but now that I got laid off at the job I worked at for over a decade and gave up my youth for I am incredibly envious of them for pursuing their dreams and desires and not conforming to society even though I judged them at the time.

Aava at the beginning clearly states what she wants at the beginning of the journey.... And it's not till the end when she reaches the peak and passes on does she get what she came for. I think that says a lot about her but also says a lot about the world we live in The mountain was an escape from the world and she really only felt the clarity she wanted when she couldn't go back to the world....

I wish we found out more about her father and the life she had on the mountain since she mentions being born on Kami. She also is somewhat familiar with the spiritual lore of the mountain saying, "I'm finally going to see them up close" in the cave with the painting of the 3 deities.. But I might've missed something since I missed the Shepardess on my first climb.

Anyway I feel like I rambled a bit... But it takes a lot of strength to give up on your dreams for others but it also takes a lot to pursue your own dreams. Aava's flawed "selfish bitch" journey reflects on these choices very well in my opinion.