Climbing the Stairway to Heaven

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/12/world/asia/kristin-harila-himalayas-dying-climber.html

("K2 Climbers Criticized Over Continuing Ascent After Finding Dying Porter")

There is a gravitational pull by some like me towards those who risk their lives in pursuit of these impossible summits. A statement from them that nothing is beyond our reach. That mind and body can work as one to demonstrate that we are better than we ever imagined we could be. That achievement is limited only by our fears, insecurities and hesitations.

But with each climber's burning hunger comes an intensity, a singularity of focus, that is at once both wondrous and terrible. There can be little room for distraction here as this would be certain prescription for failure.

It would be easy enough to imagine a scenario where any obstacle that lay in one's path would be deemed insufficient imperative demanding response. The dead strewn on these mountains a stark reminder of the possible result of divided attention.

However, I would like to believe that there is an immutable bond that exists, that ties porter to guide, guide to climber. And that there is a fundamental code that states that no man or woman on this monumental undertaking has lesser worth than the next, no matter their station. That, even here, on this ascent to the heavens, there is room to stop and minister to the welfare of  others along the path. 

For, the inescapable truth is that if one reaches the summit of one mountain or 14 but loses their compassion or humanity along the way then the cost is far too steep. 

My fervent hope is that Kristin Harila's explanation of the efforts undertaken to save the life of Muhammad Hassan on the final leg of her incredible journey to immortality is true. And that the mountain has bestowed upon her only the gift of virtually unfathomable success and not the tragedy of profound human failure as well.