Chapter VIII The Spur Summary and Analysis

It is now May 19, and Herzog, Rebuffat, Terray and Schatz are up early preparing to climb the spur identified by Terray and Lachenal as a possible route of ascent. The weather is good at first, and the men set out with Sherpas. Their plan is to climb as high as possible with the Sherpas, sending them back when it gets too difficult, and look for possible places to establish future camps if the spur turns out to be a suitable route.

The climbing soon becomes too hard for the Sherpas, who are sent back while the four French men continue on along the narrow ridge of the spur. The weather changes and begins to deteriorate. They construct a small temporary ledge to pitch a single tent, and Herzog and Rebuffat stay on the ledge while...