Chapters 12-13 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 12 is called "The Countdown." On May 6 all of the Mountain Madness climbers and guides were in Base Camp, preparing to climb to Camp II in their push to the summit. Boukreev, feeling well rested after his descent, was concerned about Kruse's condition and also about Fox and Madsen, who had not yet climbed as high as Camp III. Fischer assured him that at Camp III he would assess everyone's condition for making the summit and turn around anyone he thought should go.

Climber Martin Adams reached Camp I and was surprised to find Dale Kruse in one of the tents, having a difficult time. He asked two other climbers to check on him, and they agreed that Kruse was in bad shape and should probably go down. When they reached Camp II, where Fischer and Beidleman are, they...