Genevieve Castle
3/13/14
Zest
Andy Harris was easily one of the most generous people climbing mount everest written in this book. He proved time and time again that he is determined to make it to the summit, and to do it by helping his fellow climbers. Harris proves his devotion to his climbing from the beginning when he says, “’I’m going on to Base Camp today with the rest of you. Even if I have to bloody crawl,” (62). When Andy gets a bad reaction to the air thinning, he proves his determination even farther when he continues on despite his terrible symptoms. Leading farther into the book (I don't want to give anything away), his fate becomes clear but only because of his extreme sense of loyalty to his fellow climbers and the bonds he has made on the climb. He continues to be such a great friend and fellow climber to Jon throughout the book, and maybe thats why I supported him from the beginning. Someone who is selfless enough to go out to search for his fellow climbers in a raging storm is someone who deserves to be known as an incredible person. Part of being devoted to climbing is being devoted to helping fellow climbers, and Harris demonstrates this through out the novel.
Gen, I completely agree with you. Andy "Harold" Harris is probably the most unselfish man you'll ever hear of. There are many reasons why he would just worry about keeping himself alive on the night of the horrific Everest Disaster. He's never climbed Everest before and knows little of the terrain and routes to get down. It will be hard enough finding a way down for himself, much less the clients and people around him. Moreover, Harris is very sick, oxygen-deprived, and downright exhausted to the point where he cannot think straight at all. Yet, despite every angle of common sense telling Harris to get the hell out of there, he doesn't. In fact, he does the exact opposite. He goes back UP the deadly mountain to bring oxygen to his partners. Krakauer recalls that, "At 5:30, as Lopsang left the South Summit to resume his descent, he turned to see Harris - who must have been severely debilitated, if his condition when I'd seen him on the South Summit two hours earlier was any indication - plodding slowly up the summit ridge to assist Hall and Hansen. It was an act of heroism that would cost Harris his life" (239). If losing ones life while attempting to save another's is any indication, Harris should and will always be remembered as the devoted, selfless man of the mountain.
ReplyDelete