One_MC1 Mountain_NN1 Thousand_NNO Summits_NN2 At_II a_AT1 little_JJ past_JJ midnight_NNT1 ,_, on_II August_NPM1 1_MC1 ,_, 2008_MC ,_, a_AT1 small_JJ company_NN1 of_IO men_NN2 and_CC women_NN2 roused_VVN in_II their_APPGE high_JJ camp_NN1 at_II seventy-eight_MC hundred_NNO meters_NN2 on_II a_AT1 snow-laden_JJ ridge_NN1 deep_RR in_II the_AT crinkled_JJ topography_NN1 of_IO the_AT Karakoram_NN1 mountain_NN1 range_NN1 ,_, in_II northeast_ND1 Pakistan_NP1 ._. 
Outside_RL ,_, the_AT night_NNT1 sky_NN1 was_VBDZ cold_JJ and_CC quiet_JJ and_CC clear_JJ of_IO cloud_NN1 cover_NN1 ._. 
Stars_NN2 shone_VVD overhead_RL ,_, and_CC the_AT twinkling_JJ lights_NN2 of_IO the_AT trailbreaking_JJ party_NN1 could_VM be_VBI faintly_RR seen_VVN ,_, already_RR moving_VVG upward_RL ,_, bound_VVN for_IF the_AT 8,611-meter_FO summit_NN1 of_IO K2_NP1 ,_, the_AT second-highest_JJT point_NN1 on_II planet_NN1 Earth_NN1 ._. 
Their_APPGE tents_NN2 were_VBDR clustered_VVN together_RL ,_, pitched_VVD so_RG closely_RR that_CST it_PPH1 was_VBDZ hard_JJ to_TO maneuver_VVI in_RP and_CC out_II21 of_II22 the_AT vestibule_NN1 entrance_NN1 of_IO one_MC1 shelter_NN1 without_IW brushing_VVG against_II the_AT adjacent_JJ dwelling_NN1 or_CC tripping_VVG over_RP an_AT1 unseen_JJ cord_NN1 that_CST guyed_VVD the_AT structure_NN1 to_II the_AT mountain_NN1 ._. 
The_AT thin_JJ fabric_NN1 walls_NN2 did_VDD nothing_PN1 to_TO suppress_VVI the_AT chorus_NN1 of_IO hollow_JJ coughs_NN2 and_CC isobutane_NN1 stoves_NN2 that_CST sputtered_VVD and_CC hacked_VVN in_II the_AT darkness_NN1 ,_, punctuated_VVN by_II the_AT occasional_JJ sound_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 sleeping_NN1 bag_NN1 zipper_NN1 or_CC the_AT rustle_NN1 of_IO nylon_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ to_TO be_VBI one_MC1 of_IO the_AT single_JJ largest_JJT blitzes_NN2 in_II the_AT history_NN1 of_IO the_AT mountain_NN1 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 more_RGR pluralistic_JJ group_NN1 of_IO modern_JJ climbers_NN2 could_VM hardly_RR be_VBI imagined_VVN ._. 
They_PPHS2 came_VVD from_II France_NP1 ,_, Italy_NP1 ,_, Ireland_NP1 ,_, Sweden_NP1 ,_, Serbia_NP1 ,_, Norway_NP1 ,_, the_AT Netherlands_NP1 ,_, the_AT United_NP1 States_NP1 ,_, South_ND1 Korea_NP1 ,_, Pakistan_NP1 ,_, and_CC Nepal_NP1 :_: More_DAR than_CSN thirty_MC individuals_NN2 from_II seven_MC separately_RR permitted_VVN expeditions_NN2 occupied_VVN the_AT final_JJ bivouac_NN1 ,_, only_RR a_AT1 day_NNT1 's_GE climb_NN1 from_II the_AT summit_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 had_VHD invested_VVN months_NNT2 of_IO time_NNT1 ,_, thousands_NNO2 of_IO dollars_NNU2 ,_, and_CC made_VVD untold_JJ personal_JJ sacrifices_NN2 just_RR to_TO be_VBI there_RL ,_, to_TO have_VHI this_DD1 chance_NN1 ._. 
With_IW few_DA2 exceptions_NN2 ,_, they_PPHS2 were_VBDR ambitious_JJ ,_, successful_JJ men_NN2 in_II the_AT prime_JJ of_IO their_APPGE lives_NN2 ._. 
Some_DD ,_, like_II Wilco_NP1 van_NP1 Rooijen_NP1 ,_, the_AT outspoken_JJ ,_, prematurely_RR gray_JJ leader_NN1 of_IO the_AT Dutch_JJ Norit_NN1 team_NN1 ,_, and_CC Kim_NP1 Jae-su_NN1 ,_, the_AT taciturn_NN1 ,_, no-nonsense_JJ head_NN1 of_IO the_AT Korean_JJ expedition_NN1 ,_, were_VBDR devoted_JJ professionals_NN2 with_IW large_JJ corporate_JJ sponsors_NN2 backing_VVG their_APPGE climbs_VVZ ._. 
But_CCB others_NN2 ,_, like_II Lars_NP1 Nessa_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 lanky_JJ nurse_NN1 from_II Norway_NP1 ,_, Cas_NP1 van_NP1 de_NP1 Gevel_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 mild-mannered_JJ carpenter_NN1 from_II Holland_NP1 ,_, and_CC Gerard_NP1 McDonnell_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 barrel-chested_JJ Irish_JJ electronic_JJ engineer_NN1 ,_, were_VBDR skilled_JJ amateurs_NN2 who_PNQS had_VHD worked_VVN long_JJ months_NNT2 to_TO save_VVI enough_DD money_NN1 to_TO attempt_VVI K2_NP1 ._. 
Hugues_NP1 D'Aubarede_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 compact_JJ insurance_NN1 agent_NN1 from_II Lyons_NP1 ,_, France_NP1 ,_, had_VHD changed_VVN his_APPGE travel_NN1 arrangements_NN2 at_II the_AT last_MD possible_JJ moment_NN1 ,_, delaying_VVG his_APPGE plane_NN1 flight_NN1 home_RL to_TO have_VHI one_MC1 more_DAR crack_NN1 at_II the_AT summit_NN1 ._. 
Two_MC women_NN2 joined_VVD the_AT otherwise_RR male-dominated_JJ summit_NN1 push_NN1 ._. 
Cecilie_NP1 Skog_NP1 ,_, an_AT1 attractive_JJ professional_JJ adventurer_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 shock_NN1 of_IO curly_JJ ,_, sandy-blond_JJ hair_NN1 ,_, climbed_VVD with_IW her_APPGE husband_NN1 ,_, Rolf_NP1 Bae_NP1 ,_, as_II part_NN1 of_IO the_AT Norwegian_JJ team_NN1 ._. 
Go_VV0 Mi-yeong_NN1 ,_, from_II South_ND1 Korea_NP1 ,_, was_VBDZ an_AT1 accomplished_JJ competition_NN1 rock_NN1 climber_NN1 who_PNQS had_VHD recently_RR turned_VVN her_APPGE attention_NN1 to_II high-altitude_JJ climbing_NN1 ._. 
Partnered_VVN with_IW Kim_NP1 Jae-su_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 had_VHD summited_VVN four_MC different_JJ eight-thousand-meter_JJ peaks_NN2 in_II just_RR over_RG a_AT1 year_NNT1 :_: Everest_NP1 ,_, Broad_NP1 Peak_NN1 ,_, Shishapangma_NP1 ,_, and_CC Lhotse_NP1 ._. 
Inside_II each_DD1 shelter_NN1 ,_, all_DB was_VBDZ covered_VVN in_II a_AT1 glittering_JJ universe_NN1 of_IO ice_NN1 crystals_NN2 ,_, formed_VVN as_II the_AT climbers_NN2 '_GE moist_JJ breath_NN1 condensed_VVN and_CC froze_VVN in_II the_AT arctic_JJ temperatures_NN2 ._. 
Most_DAT climbers_NN2 sat_VVD facing_VVG one_PPX121 another_PPX122 ,_, their_APPGE backs_NN2 leaning_VVG against_II the_AT taut_JJ tent_NN1 cloth_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 lit_NN1 stove_NN1 between_II them_PPHO2 ._. 
A_AT1 carpet_NN1 of_IO Ensolite_JJ foam_NN1 pads_NN2 covered_VVD the_AT floor_NN1 ;_; equipment_NN1 and_CC clothing_NN1 littered_VVD almost_RR every_AT1 available_JJ space_NN1 ._. 
The_AT cramped_JJ environs_NN2 were_VBDR impossible_JJ to_TO keep_VVI organized_VVN ,_, and_CC if_CS one_MC1 climber_NN1 needed_VVD to_TO stretch_VVI his_APPGE legs_NN2 ,_, or_CC change_VV0 position_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 had_VHD to_TO be_VBI carefully_RR choreographed_VVN with_IW his_APPGE tentmates_NN2 so_RR as_CSA not_XX to_TO inadvertently_RR kick_VVI anyone_PN1 or_CC knock_VV0 over_RP the_AT stove_NN1 ._. 
In_II slow_JJ ,_, uncoordinated_JJ movements_NN2 ,_, they_PPHS2 dressed_VVD in_II thick_JJ one-piece_NN1 down_II suits_NN2 with_IW balaclavas_NN2 ,_, hats_NN2 ,_, hoods_NN2 ,_, and_CC headlamps_NN2 ._. 
Spare_JJ mittens_NN2 ,_, ski_VV0 goggles_NN2 ,_, sunblock_NN1 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 few_DA2 packets_NN2 of_IO energy_NN1 gel_NN1 were_VBDR placed_VVN near_II the_AT door_NN1 ._. 
Perhaps_RR a_AT1 folded_JJ flag_NN1 or_CC small_JJ memento_NN1 was_VBDZ added_VVN to_II the_AT pile_NN1 ._. 
Then_RT all_DB that_CST remained_VVD to_TO be_VBI done_VDN was_VBDZ to_TO top_VVI off_II the_AT last_MD of_IO the_AT insulated_JJ bottles_NN2 with_IW lukewarm_JJ water_NN1 ,_, poured_VVD ever_RG21 so_RG22 carefully_RR from_II small_JJ titanium_NN1 pans_NN2 ._. 
They_PPHS2 came_VVD from_II all_DB walks_NN2 of_IO life_NN1 ,_, and_CC all_DB corners_NN2 of_IO the_AT globe_NN1 ,_, and_CC were_VBDR motivated_VVN by_II a_AT1 varying_JJ mix_NN1 of_IO personal_JJ challenge_NN1 and_CC professional_JJ gain_NN1 --_NN1 just_RR as_CSA the_AT challenge_NN1 of_IO the_AT world_NN1 's_GE highest_JJT mountains_NN2 has_VHZ always_RR attracted_VVN complex_JJ and_CC compulsive_JJ personalities_NN2 ._. 
Indeed_RR ,_, the_AT only_JJ thing_NN1 that_CST could_VM be_VBI said_VVN without_IW hesitation_NN1 about_II all_DB of_IO them_PPHO2 was_VBDZ this_DD1 :_: They_PPHS2 were_VBDR obsessed_JJ ._. 
And_CC each_DD1 climber_NN1 knew_VVD the_AT final_JJ challenge_NN1 --_NN1 summit_NN1 day_NNT1 --_NN1 would_VM be_VBI the_AT most_RGT severe_JJ ._. 
Land_NN1 at_II midday_NNT1 ,_, during_II business_NN1 hours_NNT2 ,_, after_CS an_AT1 overnight_JJ flight_NN1 from_II Europe_NP1 or_CC North_ND1 America_NP1 ,_, and_CC the_AT first_MD thing_NN1 you_PPY notice_VV0 on_II leaving_VVG Tribhuvan_JJ International_JJ Airport_NN1 is_VBZ the_AT noise_NN1 and_CC condition_NN1 of_IO the_AT road_NN1 :_: a_AT1 fusillade_NN1 of_IO horns_NN2 --_JJ blapping_NN1 ,_, tapping_VVG ,_, popping_VVG ,_, poking_VVG --_NN1 in_II chaotic_JJ crescendos_NN2 as_II the_AT traffic_NN1 weaves_VVZ back_RP and_CC forth_RR between_II potholes_NN2 and_CC pedestrians_NN2 ._. 
Kathmandu_NP1 is_VBZ situated_VVN in_II the_AT middle_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 broad_JJ ,_, terraced_JJ valley_NN1 surrounded_VVN by_II jungle_NN1 hills_NN2 ._. 
It_PPH1 is_VBZ forty-five_MC hundred_NNO feet_NN2 above_II sea_NN1 level_NN1 ,_, and_CC roughly_RR the_AT same_DA latitude_NN1 as_CSA Fort_NP1 Lauderdale_NP1 ,_, Florida_NP1 ._. 
There_EX are_VBR palm_NN1 trees_NN2 ,_, banana_NN1 trees_NN2 ,_, monkeys_NN2 ,_, and_CC dozens_NNO2 of_IO emaciated_JJ ,_, sullen_JJ cows_NN2 wandering_VVG the_AT streets_NN2 and_CC idly_RR sniffing_VVG at_II garbage_NN1 ._. 
Ask_VV0 a_AT1 shopkeeper_NN1 ,_, taxi_NN1 driver_NN1 ,_, or_CC streetside_NN1 huckster_NN1 where_CS he_PPHS1 is_VBZ from_II ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 will_VM give_VVI you_PPY the_AT easiest_JJT answer_NN1 ._. 
Kathmandu_NP1 ,_, of_RR21 course_RR22 ._. 
But_CCB be_VBI careful_JJ ._. 
Kathmandu_NP1 Valley_NN1 is_VBZ at_RR21 once_RR22 a_AT1 civilization_NN1 centuries_NNT2 old_JJ ,_, and_CC a_AT1 city_NN1 still_RR in_II its_APPGE infancy_NN1 ._. 
Before_II 1950_MC ,_, Nepal_NP1 was_VBDZ ruled_VVN by_II a_AT1 tightly_RR controlled_VVN Hindu_JJ aristocracy_NN1 ._. 
Understandably_RR weary_JJ of_IO the_AT imperial_JJ presence_NN1 to_II their_APPGE south_ND1 ,_, they_PPHS2 kept_VVD the_AT borders_NN2 of_IO their_APPGE mountain_NN1 kingdom_NN1 mostly_RR closed_VVN ._. 
At_II the_AT same_DA time_NNT1 ,_, the_AT Ranas_NP2 enjoyed_VVD such_DA a_AT1 lavish_JJ lifestyle_NN1 that_CST ,_, during_II the_AT first_MD half_NN1 of_IO the_AT twentieth_MD century_NNT1 ,_, the_AT economic_JJ gap_NN1 between_II Kathmandu_NP1 's_GE elite_NN1 and_CC its_APPGE poor_JJ widened_VVD ._. 
There_EX was_VBDZ little_JJ business_NN1 to_TO lure_VVI the_AT rural_JJ inhabitants_NN2 of_IO Nepal_NP1 to_II the_AT city_NN1 ;_; anyone_PN1 who_PNQS chose_VVD to_TO seek_VVI their_APPGE fortune_NN1 in_II a_AT1 far-off_JJ city_NN1 moved_VVN to_II India_NP1 ._. 
The_AT people_NN around_II Kathmandu_NP1 Valley_NP1 rebelled_VVD in_II 1950_MC ,_, and_CC King_NNB Tribhuvan_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 Shah_NP1 ,_, was_VBDZ annointed_JJ ruler_NN1 the_AT next_MD year_NNT1 ._. 
The_AT first_MD motor_NN1 road_NN1 linking_VVG Kathmandu_NP1 to_II the_AT outside_JJ world_NN1 was_VBDZ opened_VVN in_II 1956_MC ._. 
In_II 1974_MC ,_, Tribhuvan_NP1 brought_VVD regularly_RR scheduled_JJ international_JJ air_NN1 transport_NN1 to_II the_AT country_NN1 ._. 
The_AT population_NN1 of_IO Kathmandu_NP1 tripled_VVD in_II twenty_MC years_NNT2 ._. 
And_CC so_RR ,_, there_EX is_VBZ always_RR a_AT1 second_MD answer_NN1 to_II the_AT question_NN1 ._. 
You_PPY just_RR have_VH0 to_TO rephrase_VVI the_AT query_NN1 :_: Where_RRQ is_VBZ your_APPGE village_NN1 home_RL ?_? 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ the_AT last_MD week_NNT1 of_IO September_NPM1 :_: high_JJ season_NNT1 in_II Thamel_NP1 ,_, the_AT tourism_NN1 capital_NN1 and_CC red-light_JJ district_NN1 of_IO Kathmandu_NP1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 sat_VVD in_II a_AT1 corner_NN1 of_IO the_AT lobby_NN1 of_IO the_AT Hotel_NN1 Marshyangdi_NP1 ,_, watching_VVG as_II a_AT1 party_NN1 of_IO German_JJ trekkers_NN2 clad_VVN in_II matching_JJ fleece_NN1 jackets_NN2 assaulted_VVD the_AT concierge_NN1 ._. 
"_" But_CCB my_APPGE luggage_NN1 is_VBZ missing_VVG ._. 
Lufthansa_NN1 has_VHZ lost_VVN it_PPH1 ,_, "_" one_PN1 exclaimed_VVD at_II a_AT1 decibel_NNU1 level_NN1 that_CST was_VBDZ impossible_JJ to_TO ignore_VVI ._. 
"_" How_RRQ can_VM I_PPIS1 trek_VVI to_II Mount_NNL1 Everest_NP1 base_NN1 camp_NN1 with_IW no_AT trekking_JJ equipment_NN1 ?_? "_" 
I_PPIS1 knew_VVD Chhiring_NP1 Dorje_NP1 the_AT moment_NN1 he_PPHS1 walked_VVD through_II the_AT door_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 wore_VVD a_AT1 sleek_JJ soft-shell_JJ jacket_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 cleanly_RR pressed_VVN T-shirt_NN1 tucked_VVN into_II Schoeller_NP1 hiking_VVG pants_NN2 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 pair_NN of_IO Salomon_NP1 trail-running_JJ sneakers_NN2 ._. 
Chhiring_NP1 shook_VVD my_APPGE hand_NN1 aggressively_RR ,_, laughing_VVG as_CSA he_PPHS1 did_VDD so_RR ,_, and_CC said_VVD in_II broken_JJ English_NN1 :_: "_" Namaste_NP1 ,_, Fredrick_NP1 !_! 
How_RRQ are_VBR you_PPY ?_? 
You_PPY like_VV0 we_PPIS2 can_VM go_VVI get_VV0 some_DD tea_NN1 ?_? "_" 
He_PPHS1 stood_VVD perhaps_RR five_MC feet_NN2 ,_, eight_MC inches_NNU2 tall_JJ ,_, but_CCB had_VHD broad_JJ shoulders_NN2 and_CC a_AT1 thick_JJ torso_NN1 ._. 
My_APPGE first_MD reaction_NN1 was_VBDZ that_DD1 of_IO my_APPGE inner_JJ climber_NN1 ,_, sizing_VVG him_PPHO1 up_RP :_: This_DD1 guy_NN1 is_VBZ built_VVN like_II a_AT1 brick_NN1 shit_NN1 house_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 had_VHD suggested_VVN over_II e-mail_NN1 that_CST we_PPIS2 meet_VV0 up_RP for_IF a_AT1 beer_NN1 or_CC coffee_NN1 ._. 
Nodding_VVG toward_II the_AT door_NN1 ,_, Chhiring_VVG immediately_RR began_VVD to_TO retreat_VVI from_II the_AT bustling_JJ hotel_NN1 lobby_NN1 ,_, motioning_VVG me_PPIO1 to_TO follow_VVI ._. 
I_PPIS1 almost_RR tripped_VVD into_II a_AT1 thickset_JJ kid_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 mop_NN1 of_IO dark_JJ hair_NN1 that_CST flopped_VVD over_RP his_APPGE forehead_NN1 ,_, almost_RR touching_VVG the_AT wire-rimmed_JJ glasses_NN2 he_PPHS1 wore_VVD ._. 
The_AT one-lane_JJ street_NN1 was_VBDZ flooded_VVN with_IW motorbikes_NN2 and_CC early_JJ evening_NNT1 shoppers_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 skipped_VVD a_AT1 half_DB step_VV0 to_TO catch_VVI up_RP with_IW Chhiring_NP1 ._. 
The_AT Asian_JJ kid_NN1 was_VBDZ following_VVG close_JJ behind_RL ._. 
Chhiring_NP1 glanced_VVD over_RP his_APPGE shoulder_NN1 ._. 
"_" This_DD1 is_VBZ my_APPGE brother_NN1 ,_, Ngawang_NP1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD by_II31 way_II32 of_II33 introduction_NN1 ._. 
Five_MC minutes_NNT2 later_RRR we_PPIS2 had_VHD found_VVN a_AT1 quiet_JJ table_NN1 at_II the_AT Rum_NN1 Doodle_NN1 Bar_NN1 &;_NULL Restaurant_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Rum_NN1 Doodle_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 Thamel_NN1 institution_NN1 ,_, the_AT traditional_JJ venue_NN1 for_IF Western_JJ climbers_NN2 and_CC trekkers_NN2 to_TO engage_VVI in_II a_AT1 little_JJ pretrip_NN1 debauchery_NN1 or_CC gorge_NN1 on_II well-prepared_NN1 ,_, Western-style_JJ meals_NN2 after_II returning_VVG from_II the_AT hills_NN2 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ not_XX quite_RG six_MC p.m._RA ,_, however_RR ,_, and_CC the_AT place_NN1 was_VBDZ still_RR deserted_VVN ._. 
A_AT1 waiter_NN1 approached_VVN and_CC Chhiring_NP1 ordered_VVD tea_NN1 for_IF the_AT three_MC of_IO us_PPIO2 ._. 
If_CS you_PPY believe_VV0 what_DDQ Gerard_NP1 McDonnell_NP1 's_GE friends_NN2 and_CC teammates_NN2 say_VV0 about_II him_PPHO1 ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ probably_RR preordained_VVN from_II the_AT moment_NN1 they_PPHS2 found_VVD the_AT distressed_JJ Korean_JJ team_NN1 that_CST Gerard_NP1 would_VM not_XX leave_VVI them_PPHO2 so_RG long_RR as_CSA he_PPHS1 believed_VVD they_PPHS2 could_VM be_VBI saved_VVN ._. 
Marco_NP1 's_GE testimony_NN1 describes_VVZ lowering_VVG the_AT "_" Korean_JJ leader_NN1 ,_, "_" but_CCB he_PPHS1 mentioned_VVD few_DA2 precise_JJ details_NN2 about_II the_AT other_JJ two_MC ,_, who_PNQS were_VBDR presumably_RR also_RR tangled_VVN in_II rope_NN1 ._. 
And_CC in_II earlier_JJR statements_NN2 ,_, the_AT Italian_NN1 painted_VVN an_AT1 even_RR more_RGR desperate_JJ scene_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 tried_VVD everything_PN1 and_CC more_RRR ,_, but_CCB I_PPIS1 simply_RR could_VM n't_XX do_VDI it_PPH1 ,_, could_VM not_XX take_VVI them_PPHO2 back_RP home_RL ._. 
In_II my_APPGE role_NN1 of_IO mountain_NN1 rescuer_NN1 I_PPIS1 felt_VVD worthless_JJ ..._... useless_JJ ,_, "_" one_MC1 article_NN1 in_II the_AT Guardian_NN1 quoted_VVD him_PPHO1 as_CSA saying_VVG ._. 
Based_VVN on_II either_DD1 version_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 's_VBZ clear_JJ that_CST Jumik_NP1 and_CC the_AT Koreans_NN2 were_VBDR not_XX entirely_RR freed_VVN from_II their_APPGE entanglements_NN2 when_RRQ Marco_NP1 decided_VVD he_PPHS1 could_VM do_VDI no_AT more_DAR and_CC continued_VVD his_APPGE descent_NN1 ._. 
Gerard_NP1 McDonnell_NP1 was_VBDZ by_II temperament_NN1 a_AT1 problem-solver_NN1 and_CC by_II training_VVG an_AT1 engineer_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ also_RR methodical_JJ ,_, persistent_JJ and_CC safety-conscious_JJ ._. 
His_APPGE outgoing_JJ personality_NN1 ,_, his_APPGE love_NN1 of_IO music_NN1 ,_, family_NN1 ,_, friends_NN2 ,_, and_CC travel_NN1 ,_, were_VBDR rooted_VVN in_II one_MC1 more_DAR trait_NN1 that_CST was_VBDZ the_AT bedrock_NN1 of_IO who_PNQS he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ :_: unfiltered_JJ empathy_NN1 for_IF all_DB human_JJ beings_NN2 ._. 
All_DB of_IO these_DD2 elements_NN2 of_IO his_APPGE character_NN1 must_VM have_VHI combined_VVN in_II what_DDQ happened_VVD next_MD ._. 
There_EX are_VBR myriad_NN1 ways_NN2 Gerard_NP1 might_VM have_VHI finished_VVN the_AT job_NN1 ._. 
Matt_NP1 Szundy_NP1 describes_VVZ one_MC1 simple_JJ step-by-step_JJ process_NN1 by_II which_DDQ Gerard_NP1 could_VM have_VHI transferred_VVN the_AT load_NN1 ._. 
First_MD ,_, he_PPHS1 would_VM have_VHI had_VHN to_TO determine_VVI which_DDQ rope_NN1 within_II the_AT tangle_NN1 needed_VVD to_TO be_VBI unloaded_VVN ._. 
Then_RT he_PPHS1 would_VM have_VHI ascended_VVN to_II the_AT anchor_NN1 point_NN1 above_RL ,_, and_CC tied_VVD a_AT1 three-wrap_JJ friction_NN1 hitch_NN1 around_II the_AT taunt_NN1 line_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 would_VM be_VBI connected_VVN to_II a_AT1 spare_JJ section_NN1 of_IO rope_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ in_II turn_NN1 would_VM be_VBI connected_VVN by_II a_AT1 munter_NN1 hitch_NN1 to_II the_AT anchor_NN1 ._. 
With_IW a_AT1 new_JJ load-bearing_JJ system_NN1 thus_RR created_VVN ,_, Gerard_NP1 could_VM then_RT cut_VVI the_AT tensioned_JJ line_NN1 above_II the_AT friction_NN1 hitch_NN1 ,_, and_CC lower_VV0 the_AT climbers_NN2 using_VVG the_AT munter_NN1 hitch_NN1 with_IW the_AT spare_JJ line_NN1 ._. 
Regardless_RR of_IO how_RRQ he_PPHS1 did_VDD it_PPH1 ,_, there_EX would_VM have_VHI been_VBN few_DA2 words_NN2 exchanged_VVN between_II them_PPHO2 as_CSA he_PPHS1 worked_VVD ._. 
Neither_RR Jumik_NP1 or_CC the_AT Koreans_NN2 spoke_VVD fluent_JJ English_NN1 under_II the_AT best_JJT of_IO circumstances_NN2 ;_; after_II thirty_MC hours_NNT2 above_II eight_MC thousand_NNO meters_NN2 communication_NN1 would_VM be_VBI reduced_VVN to_II all_DB but_II the_AT most_RGT basic_JJ messages_NN2 ._. 
By_II then_RT ,_, very_RG little_RR needed_VVN to_TO be_VBI said_VVN ._. 
There_EX was_VBDZ only_RR the_AT persistent_JJ pull_NN1 of_IO gravity_NN1 ,_, the_AT involuntary_JJ panting_NN1 of_IO each_DD1 man_NN1 as_CSA his_APPGE body_NN1 yearned_VVN for_IF more_DAR oxygen_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 parched_JJ dryness_NN1 burned_VVN in_II his_APPGE throat_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT taunt_NN1 rope_NN1 that_CST bound_VVD them_PPHO2 all_DB together_RL ._. 
We_PPIS2 know_VV0 from_II Tsering_NP1 Bhote_NP1 's_GE story_NN1 that_CST Big_JJ Pasang_NN1 never_RR went_VVD much_RR higher_JJR than_CSN the_AT top_NN1 of_IO the_AT Bottleneck_NN1 ._. 
Tsering_NP1 was_VBDZ close_JJ below_RL ,_, still_RR close_VV0 enough_RR that_CST they_PPHS2 could_VM communicate_VVI by_II shouting_VVG ._. 
He_PPHS1 waited_VVD on_II the_AT right_JJ side_NN1 of_IO the_AT couloir_NN1 ,_, just_RR beneath_II the_AT Bottleneck_NN1 itself_PPX1 ,_, and_CC watched_VVD as_II an_AT1 intermittent_JJ whiteout_NN1 swirled_VVD around_II --_NN1 the_AT landscape_NN1 awash_JJ in_II the_AT snowless_JJ ,_, colorless_JJ vapor_NN1 of_IO cloud_NN1 ._. 
Big_JJ Pasang_NN1 never_RR quite_RR met_VVD Gerard_NP1 McDonnell_NP1 ._. 
But_CCB he_PPHS1 also_RR must_VM have_VHI been_VBN close_JJ ,_, close_VV0 enough_RR that_CST through_II the_AT openings_NN2 in_II the_AT whiteout_NN1 Big_JJ Pasang_NN1 could_VM see_VVI another_DD1 human_JJ form_NN1 descending_VVG the_AT lower_JJR section_NN1 of_IO the_AT traverse_NN1 ,_, just_RR to_II his_APPGE left_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ coming_VVG down_RP last_MD ,_, behind_II his_APPGE teammates_NN2 ,_, in_II the_AT traditional_JJ position_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 guide_NN1 or_CC the_AT strongest_JJT member_NN1 of_IO the_AT team_NN1 ._. 
If_CS Big_JJ Pasang_NN1 could_VM see_VVI Gerard_NP1 ,_, it_PPH1 is_VBZ possible_JJ that_CST Gerard_NP1 saw_VVD Big_JJ Pasang_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 probably_RR would_VM n't_XX have_VHI recognized_VVN him_PPHO1 ;_; he_PPHS1 would_VM have_VHI noticed_VVN only_RR another_DD1 person_NN1 ,_, that_CST someone_PN1 had_VHD arrived_VVN to_TO help_VVI them_PPHO2 down_RP ._. 
For_IF a_AT1 moment_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 might_VM have_VHI felt_VVN some_DD shiver_NN1 of_IO warmth_NN1 ,_, knowing_VVG that_CST they_PPHS2 were_VBDR not_XX alone_JJ ._. 
Minutes_NNT2 later_RRR ,_, Tsering_NP1 saw_VVD them_PPHO2 climbing_VVG down_RP in_II a_AT1 row_NN1 toward_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 were_VBDR roped_VVN together_RL and_CC Jumik_NP1 was_VBDZ in_II the_AT lead_NN1 ,_, with_IW Big_JJ Pasang_NN1 behind_II him_PPHO1 ,_, and_CC then_RT the_AT foreigners_NN2 ._. 
Tsering_NP1 saw_VVD the_AT accident_NN1 with_IW his_APPGE own_DA eyes_NN2 ._. 
