The Ascent of Mt. Ventoux

The Ascent of Mt. Ventoux is a 1336 semi-autobiographical letter by Petrarch detailing his highly symbolic experience climbing a tall mountain.

Summary
Overcome by a desire to see the view from Mont Ventoux, the highest peak in the region, Petrarch and his brother decide to climb it. At the foot of the peak, they encounter a shepherd who points to the easiest path for climbing. Nevertheless, they are soon fatigued and take a rest. While the brother is resting, Petrarch descends a little ways to look for an easier path tors - and desert themselves".  Thus, he finds a passage describing the pursuit of earthly things as vain and takes this passage to be a celebration of the human intellect, converting him to a decidedly humanistic philosophy.