LOL: And aren’t the breaks just a part of the climb? All we are trying to do is catch our breath before it all starts up again. Mistaking a break for something that is not climbing, for something that can be held onto, is just clinging to the side of a ladder. Hang as long as you like but eventually the rungs wear thin and you will be forced to move in one direction or another.
Climbers high is like runners high. Even though you continue to climb, your mind is taking a break from the stress the body is feeling. This is nearly as good as a real break and leads us to a second or third wind. (Are there ever any real breaks from the climb?)