Chomolungma—Ascent and Descent Summary and Analysis

Resting, Messner mind clears and he feels confident that he can reach the summit in two more days. His tent is just big enough to lie in with his knees bent, but it will withstand storms up to 100 kilometers per hour. He wonders if Maurice Wilson would have made it to the top if he had gotten this far, and thinks it probable. Messner feels both peaceful and powerfully aroused. He feels as if he is with an invisible companion, and even finds himself speaking Italian, although his native language is South Tyrol German. He melts water for tea and eats cheese, but the effort is extreme even for this. A storm arises but abates, and he sleeps tolerably well. In the morning, the wind drops again. He makes coffee, and must force...