Chapter 11 Summary

After Morley reaches the camp, the three men prepare to climb the summit of the Matterhorn. They leave their large packs and most of their equipment in camp, taking only light daypacks with concentrated food. They begin their summit attempt at noon. After hiking for two hours, Ray is tired and suggests that they return home, but Japhy refuses. Ray, now bedraggled, notes that Morley has enormous hiking endurance. For a few hours, Japhy strips down to a jockstrap and boots, and Ray admires Japhy's sense of freedom. Japhy eventually hikes about one-half hour ahead of Ray and Morley.

The party reaches about eleven thousand feet in elevation, and Ray begins to feel frightened and intimidated by the immense height and craggy vistas. He has a strange sense of dyja vu and seems to be reliving similar experiences during the hiking. The men...