Chapters 16-17 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 16 is called "Decision and Descent." Boukreev and Adams descended to the Hillary Step where they found Andy Harris and Jon Krakauer from Rob Hall's team waiting at the top of the step. Several climbers were still ascending toward the summit, despite the late hour, including Fischer who stops at the top of the step to converse with Boukreev. Boukreev is concerned that the climbers have been climbing for 14 hours at this point with 18 hours of oxygen if they have been using the recommended rate. According to Boukreev, he proposed to Fischer that Boukreev should descend to Camp IV and be prepared to come back up the mountain to help any clients who need it. Fischer agreed to the plan, Boukreev writes.

This is a crucial moment in the book, as it is this decision of Boukreev's that becomes...