The Brutal Reality of High Altitude Climbing
The Telegraph published an interesting article by climber Stephen Venables, the first Briton to ascend Everest without oxygen.
It is very hard to explain to non-climbers the paradox of high-altitude climbing. It involves great discomfort and danger but is also an intensely exhilarating, joyful experience. Knowing that things can go horribly wrong reinforces the sense that, morally, as well as physically, you are entering a different world - a world with different rules.