Read the passage from Touch the Top of the World, Erik Weihenmayer’s autobiographical book about his trek to the summit of Mount Everest.
What does this passage tell about the author’s attitude toward climbing?
Excerpt from Touch the Top of the World
By Erik Weihenmayer
My mind was starting to settle on the possibility of turning back, when Kevin’s voice from Base Camp crackled over my radio. Throughout the expedition, Kevin had been learning to read the satellite weather reports we received every few days over the Internet. From the weather map, it appeared the storm was moving rapidly to the northeast toward Bhutan and where we stood on the Balcony, we were directly northeast of Base Camp. “Hey you guys, don’t quit yet,” his voice sounded urgent. “The storm’s cleared down here. It just might pass over you.”
Reading weather maps is not necessary if storms move quickly through your climbing area.
Climbing is an individual activity which requires little or no support from other people.
Making a successful climb requires putting together a superior team upon which you can rely.