While watching a fascinating documentary about the early Everest climbers, George Mallory and Andrew Irvine, who where lost high on Everest in 1924, I pondered about the amount of work that was involved to prepare for such a momentous climb. Back then, their equipment wasn’t as reliable as today. They dealt with leaking oxygen tanks that broke often; clothing was nothing more than cotton and wool, and no fancy ice boots but leather hiking boots and wool socks to keep their feet warm.

But what struck me was the massive determination to attempt the summit. To be the first human to ever reach over 29,000 feet above sea level, and survive to tell the story. They didn’t have helicopters or airplanes to bring them in. Their journey was on train, then donkey or by foot just to get to the village near the base. The entire expedition itself could take up to 6 months.  Then they faced the long hike to base camp at approximately 17,000 feet above sea level (just for point of reference as there are two base camps, one in Nepal and one in Tibet). Back then, and now, Sherpa’s helped with carrying supplies and food up to the camps.

They would have a compass, an altimeter, ice ax, ropes, and very early and non-reliable oxygen tanks. It was necessary they had great mountaineering skills as much of their climbing involved scaling walls of ice and rock. No GPS, no radio communication, as a matter of fact, if someone was injured or presumed dead, they would spread out blankets in the shape of a cross for those at base camp to see via telescope. Base camp would reply with another code using the same fashion.

Sadly, Mallory and Irvine perished on the mountain, about 1000 feet from the summit. One body was found, that of George Mallory, and during the research done about their climb, they concluded the men may have slipped while attempting to ascend or descend the Second Step. What is so important about the Second Step, as there are many, many levels and obstacles on Everest? For starters, the Second Step itself involves a 10-food high slab of vertical rock, to start with and exposure to thousands of feet of a drop below.  At the time Mallory and Irvine would have had to climb without the aid of a ladder or other modern climbing equipment, just their mountaineering skills along with rope and their ice axes. The thing of it is, Second Step is so very close to the top of the mountain as it resides between 28,140 - 28,300 ft.  (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/everest/climb/waytosummitnor.html)

There is great speculation as to whether they managed to climb the Second Step or not. But one thing is for certain, they met their deaths near this spot. Mallory and Irvine had no lead ropes, no ladders, no one to blaze the trail for them and simply their own skill and pure motivation to make it to the summit. Why did they do it despite all the risks? Because it was there. They had such a drive, a calling to conquer this mountain. As for Mallory, historians believe it was for death or glory, sadly, he got both.

Today, the mountain looms above sea level at 29,029 ft. It has attracted many a climber, some highly skilled, some not so. It has also claimed many lives. Bodies that cannot be brought down are left up on the mountain, wrapped in a tent, or simply lying on the side of the trail. A somber reminder of the dangers involved with climbing at high altitude. It takes great preparation, not just for acclimatization, but also the physical and mental work involved to ready for a climb.

Watching the research team work up the side of Mt. Everest to study the case of Mallory and Irvine was truly amazing. They too had to hike up to and from various camps to acclimate and tend to altitude sickness. Filming their journey and sharing the experience of what it is like to be on top of the world.

Sir Edmund Hillary once said, “While standing on top of Everest, I looked across the valley, towards the other great peak, Makalu, and mentally worked out a route about how it could be climbed… it showed me that, even though I was standing on top of the world, it wasn’t the end of everything for me, by any means. I was still looking beyond to other interesting challenges.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_Hillary)

And that is what it is all about. It’s not just about conquering your “mountain” you are facing in your life, but what other mountains do you wish to climb? We are faced each day with choices. Some may be challenging, some not. But each and every day is a way of preparing ourselves for that big climb, which will bring you to another climb and so forth.

That is what finding your passion in your life is about. Really reaching for what speaks to you, what feeds your soul? How do you do that? Start by writing down what it is you wish to accomplish. What is that “mountain” you wish to climb? Then just as if you were preparing an expedition, list out all of the tools, training, schedule, etc., that will day by day lead you closer to your goal. Maybe you have no desire to climb an “Everest”, that’s ok. The important thing is you have something you are looking towards and wanting to accomplish.

Climbing your mountain isn’t the end all either. There should always be more to see and do in your life. What can you do to contribute to your world? What gifts can you share with your family, community, friends, colleagues, people you see every day?

Sir Edmund Hillary had the right idea; he said once, “I don't know if I particularly want to be remembered for anything. I have enjoyed great satisfaction from my climb of Everest and my trips to the poles. But there's no doubt, either, that my most worthwhile things have been the building of schools and medical clinics. That has given me more satisfaction than a footprint on a mountain.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_Hillary)

Whether you are facing your “Second Step” or just the first one, remember each day you have the choice to keep climbing, keep moving forward, resting if need be, but never losing sight of the bigger goal or intention you wish to accomplish and always listen to your heart.

~Kathleen M. Schmidt

www.kathleenmschmidt.com

For more information about Mt. Everest, Irvine, Mallory and Hillary, please visit:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/everest/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mt._Everest

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everest_Base_Camp