The Spring Season · Eleven Steps From the Edge · Pulse Beat
In April, he went up the mountain again, not as a guide. He went as a teacher, with six of the best students, as an observer attached to the company's expedition: his own guides, the first graduates…
In April, he went up the mountain again, not as a guide.
He went as a teacher, with six of the best students, as an observer attached to the company's expedition: his own guides, the first graduates, taking their first clients up. He walked behind them, at the back of the line, with his hands in his pockets and the old red jacket zipped to the chin, and said almost nothing.
At Camp Two, on the second night, in the mess tent, one of the young guides, a boy called Nima, came to him, ashen. "Sir. Mr Weber says he wants to go for the summit tomorrow. He is not well. His oxygen is eighty-two. I told him no. He is angry."
"What did you say?"
"I said, the mountain will be there tomorrow." The boy's voice shook. "He said he would report me."
Tashi looked at the young man for a long moment. Then he stood and put a hand on his shoulder. "Good," he said quietly. "That is exactly right." He picked up his jacket. "Take me to Mr Weber. I will tell him that I am proud of his guide."