Chapter 12 Summary

Ray watches Japhy walk around the summit and then is startled to watch Japhy start to descend. Japhy simply runs down the mountain in huge loping bounds. Ray has a sudden realization that he can't fall off a mountain, and his fear evaporates. Ray leaps up and follows Japhy, soon taking huge leaping bounds himself. Ray recalls the Buddhist saying about continuing to climb after reaching the mountain's summit and now realizes it is not about falling, but about descending after arriving at the summit. Ray's epiphany makes him ecstatic. Joined by Morley, they return to camp just as dark is falling. They eat the remaining food and have more tea. Then, they continue to hike down in the darkness. Ray's feet become very sore, and he swaps shoes for Japhy's good hiking boots. Ray becomes exhausted and cantankerous and insists that they...