The Deadliest Climb – Everest - 4th March 2008

This is another of these ‘extreme’ reality programmes following a group of climbers trying to get to the top of Everest. It begs the usual question – why? When George Leigh Mallory was asked this question in 1924 why he wanted to climb Everest, his succinct response was ‘because it is there’.

Nowadays, you can buy a place on an expedition to climb Everest for a mere $65,000. It doesn’t guarantee success, but it does give you all the support you need to have the greatest chance of being successful.

The most difficult part of climbing Everest is climbing into the Death Zone. Above 8000 metres, the human body is unable to sustain itself, and it’s where most deaths occur. Over 200 climbers have paid the ultimate price in the last 850 vertical metres to the top. The irony is that many of those who have died have done so because they fail to realise that the secret is not getting to the top, but getting back down. The majority of those 200 have died whilst descending, and the debate continues about whether Leigh Mallory and his partner Irvine died on the way up or the way down.

Whilst I enjoy a challenge, I am not sure that playing with such high stakes is worth it – can I justify the risk? I often ask myself in risky situations – what is the worse that could happen, and dying is quite high on the worst list.

I often wonder how Jesus felt when he knew that he would have to pay the ultimate price. Whilst I don’t profess to understand Jesus thought process, he seemed to accept his fate on the basis of understanding that he was dying to save us.

There are numerous examples in The Deadliest Climb where the team leader, Russell Brice agrees with climbers the point when they should turn round – for their own interests. One guy, Tim, sets out for the summit too late and is very slow – last year he was saved by a Sherpa, but this year, he doesn’t seem to have learnt his lesson. During his summit attempt, Russell pleads with Tim to turn round – he doesn’t listen and eventually Russell has to resort to some pretty mean tactics to get the message through. Tim is suffering from summit fever, not realising he will die on the way down. I can’t tell you what happened because that’s next week episode!

God must look at us sometimes and wonder if we are suffering from summit fever. There we are, focussed on something, not considering the consequences of what happens after we have achieved that. I am sure He gets very frustrated about it.

So, today, think about your ‘summit fever’ moments. Is it something God would agree with, or something that is way off track and will lead you in the wrong direction?