Ang Dorje is a strong willed, accomplished, self-made man. After reaching camp, Jon tries to help Ang shovel snow, before he becomes exausted quickly from the high altitude. Jon also observes that Ang has a strikingly strong physique. After this point we get to know a little bit into Ang's character and his past. We learn that from an early age, Ang was taught the basics of mountaineering from his father. However his father later lost his eyesight and Ang had to drop out of school to support his family. After working as a cook for trekkers, he was noticed by a couple and taken under their wing. As the husband describes," Ang Dorje was bright, interested, keen to learn, and conscientious almost to a fault." (Pg. 109). The couple also supported the family financially so Ang could go back to school. Once there, "Ang Dorje became an able student and achieved the equivalent of an eighth grade education before quitting to go back to work in the mountaineering and trekking industry." (Pg. 109). From this insight into Ang Dorjes history, we can see he is driven towards his goals, and works hard to achieve them.