Chapters 8-9 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 8 is entitled "Khumbu to Camp II." The first major obstacle to the climb of Everest is the Khumbu Ice Fall, De Walt explains, a treacherous section of ice with high walls and deep cracks, called crevasses. By custom, the expeditions at Base Camp all contributed to hire a Sherpa to prepare the route by fixing aluminum ladders on the steep sections and across the crevasses.

As Fischer's climbers made their way through the ice fall for the first time, Boukreev got his first glimpse of how they performed in difficult conditions. Some did well, while others seemed to need encouragement and handholding. He developed concerns in particular about Pete Schoening and Dale Kruse, and brought his concerns to Fischer. Fischer assured him that if he thought any climber was not fit to push for the summit, he would...