Storm at the Summit Summary and Analysis

They head out the next morning and Joe again wonders at their good fortune at having found the natural cave. They soon encounter another patch of bad terrain, slowing their climb, but both are optimistic that they will reach the top. Joe is elated at the thought that he is going to climb a mountain no one else has managed. They reach a section of rock and at one point Simon's climbing gear, which they call "friends," lets go and Joe says that for a moment Simon remains "poised" but is only holding onto to loose rocks. Then he falls, but Joe catches him easily. Joe takes over the lead when Simon says he is "knackered." Joe is tired by the time he reaches a spot where he will have to knock away icicles. He...