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The Summit Day
part 7 | back to part 6

Three thousand feet from their goal, the count down begins. The decision whether they will continue beyond Camp 4 to the summit is pending, and each climber knows that on this final day it will be unlikely that all of them will make it to the top. Ed explains: "I always assume that out of a team of let's say 6 climbers, probably only 4 are going to reach the summit. Illness or lack of desire or something else throughout this long trip—there are so many variables that you can't control. It's rare that everyone that starts gets to the summit. You've been here for 8 or 10 weeks, you're getting homesick, you're tired and you've lost weight and just when the going gets really tough up high that's when you start losing your desire and you need to be really really motivated. And it's people that are really persistent and patient and motivated that summit."

mountains

The weather looks so good, David knows the time is now. At 10:00 p.m. the team starts to get ready, putting on their down suits and melting down ice for the last hot drinks they'll have in at least 18 hours. They leave Camp 4 in the starlight and begin their ascent. By 7:00 a.m. the Sherpas at Camp 4 can spot them on the South Summit. David and assistant cameraman Robert Schauer can be seen filming. Base Camp has heard nothing from them since they left Camp 4 and the silence is difficult to bear. But everyone knows that no news is good news as the team has to stay focused on their climb and filming. Sumiyo decides to stay on the South Summit and wait for them there.

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Photos: (1) courtesy David Breashears; (2) courtesy Robert Schauer.

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