When climbers do reach the summit, their sense of joy can be great. A goal has been reached, a challenge met, and fears conquered. It is a time for congratulations and celebrations. Some mountaineers open their packs and bring out special food to eat or drink or a memorable poem to read to mark the occasion. However, because of the extreme fatigue that mountaineers are feeling by this time, many find their enthusiasm subdued. For example, Doug Scott said of his own moment on the peak,

All the world lay before us. That summit was everything and more that a summit should be. My... [climbing] partner became expansive, his face broke out in a broad happy smile and we stood there hugging each other and thumping each other's backs. The implications of reaching the top of the highest mountain in the world surely had...