Summit: 1:25 p.m., May 10, 1996 - 29,028 Feet Summary and Analysis

By 2:00 p.m., Beidleman, Adams, Harris, Boukreev and one of Fischer's clients have reached the top. Beidleman is concerned that neither Fischer nor any of his other clients have reached the summit by this time, as it is growing late.

Beidleman is patient guide and a strong climber, Krakauer explains, but because of the status of the other two guides in his group, Fischer and Boukreev, he is relegated to a junior role. Afterward, Beidleman admits that because of this he perhaps did not always speak up to the other guides when he should have. According to Beidleman, Fischer's plan for his group that day is for Lopsang to be at the front with a radio to place ropes for his clients. The two guides were to climb near the middle...