Peak

“Now I was mad, which was exactly what I needed to finish the climb.”

In the novel, climbing is presented as a pursuit akin to combat, highlighting the theme of Passion Versus Obsession. Peak’s tags reveal his belief that to claim a mountain’s summit is to conquer the mountain. He will transform this attitude by the novel’s end.

“The mystery. That’s the point. And there isn’t enough of it, in my opinion.”

At the beginning of the novel, Peak is perceptive but lacks insight into his deep motivations. He knows that he will never understand exactly why he tags or climbs, but he knows himself well enough to know that he can’t fight against it. He sees the act of tagging as participating in something bigger than himself, something that may benefit others.

“It’s time I stepped forward and took some responsibility.”

Although Josh pretends to be acting on behalf of his son’s welfare, the hypocrisy in this statement becomes clear when the promotional aspect of his climb with Peak is revealed. This establishes the theme of Fatherhood’s Meaning.

“When you’re at the end of your rope there’s no one better than Joshua Wood. Unfortunately he doesn’t pay much attention until you’re dangling.”

Josh functions best in emergencies. This is a valuable characteristic and one of the traits that make him such a skilled climber and guide. Though the statement refers to climbing, it also applies to Josh’s approach to parenting; he only appears in Peak’s life at a moment of crisis, neglecting his son the rest of the time.

“I realized that I was going to miss him, too.”

Peak realizes that he has feelings about his stepfather that he wasn’t aware of. This will be reinforced later when he receives Rolf’s letter at the same time as he realizes Josh’s betrayal. Throughout the novel, Josh and Rolf provide foils for models of fatherhood, helping Peak determine his direction in life.

“You don’t have to call me Dad. I don’t deserve the title.”

Josh is aware of his failings as a father, and during his time with Peak, he tries to be there for him. Ultimately, this knowledge won’t be enough to change his behavior. Josh always puts himself first, and Peak must learn to accept that.

“I’m not surprised you’re in such great shape with mine and your mother’s genes.”

Peak’s parents’ legacy is another reason Peak is drawn to climbing. Not everyone is physically capable of it. He has physical gifts that make a life of climbing more inevitable than it might be for someone with a different background. This is a mixed blessing, as Peak has trouble achieving balance in his life.

“My mother told me once that Josh always slept like a baby because he had no conscience to keep him awake.”

Whether Josh actually has a conscience is disputable, but the ability to make quick, ruthless decisions on a dangerous mountain aids Josh in his climbing career. As is seen throughout the novel, the skills that make Josh an excellent climber make him an inadequate father.

“They were much bigger than I had ever imagined.”

Peak is confronted with his first view of the Himalayas. Even though this is a climber’s dream, the enormity of scaling Everest is daunting and impossible to imagine with accuracy. This moment symbolizes that both Peak’s inner and outer journeys will be more difficult than he realized.

“Don’t think ill of them […] They lived.”

Zopa does not like it when people mock climbers who come to Katmandu and then decide the mountain is too much for them. He understands the allure of the mountain but believes that those who value life more than adventure are wise, even if they might appear cowardly to “braver” climbers. This emphasizes the theme of passion versus obsession.

“‘The reason I climb,’ he had told him, ‘is so you won’t have to.’”

Sun-jo’s father was a Sherpa because it was the best way to give his children a better life. This is Peak’s first realization that Sun-jo’s father climbs (and assumes the risk) because he must. This moment contrasts the Western privilege that allows Peak and Josh to become climbers with the lack of racial, political, and socioeconomic privilege that requires Sherpas to climb.

“Most of them believe they will die on the mountain […] So, why not enjoy themselves while they wait?”

Sun-jo explains why the Sherpas are smoking despite the strenuous exercise ahead. They are able to be calm because they have accepted that their deaths will eventually occur on Everest. This mindset of acceptance sharply contrasts with the conqueror mindset of the Western tourists, including Peak.

“When you are exhausted, having a hard time catching your breath, freezing, starving, waiting for your little toe to drop off, you have other things on your mind than the welfare of your fellow climbers.”

Despite the need for a team ascent and despite the competitive nature of climbers, there comes a point where everyone climbs and suffers alone. Everest can be an inhospitable place for empathy, which makes Peak’s act of empathy at the novel’s end even more significant. Rather than conquering, on the mountain he learns to distinguish between Friendship and Competition.

“Without those herders, yaks, and porters we wouldn’t be here […]”

Despite his desire to summit Everest, Peak will not view the Sherpas as dispensable or unnecessary. He stays humble even while doing something audacious, understanding that he cannot do it alone.

“You can never tell who the mountain will allow and who it will not.”

The climbers tell themselves that their gear, expertise, and physical ability will allow them to make the climb. Zopa believes that it is the mountain who decides. This is very much in keeping with the Buddhist doctrines of complete acceptance of one’s fate.

“Typically, one of the porters was accused of bringing the virus to camp, as if the climbers were incapable of carrying a virus to Everest.”

There is a strong racial thread in how the white Western climbers relate to the Sherpas. Despite the fact that the Sherpas are necessary for a successful climb, they are treated as an inferior “other,” blamed for any misfortune, and treated as servants, even though they risk as much (and arguably more) on the mountain as anyone.

“‘I miss you. I want you home.’ With these two sentences [Rolf] had done more for me than Josh had ever done, or could ever do.”

After getting Rolf’s letter, Peak grows more disenchanted with Josh. He begins to see that Rolf is much more of a father to him despite their lack of a blood connection.

“Your legs, your arms, your muscles, your endurance, your will are yours alone.”

One reason Peak loves to climb is that it is an individual pursuit, despite the need for team ascents. If he makes it to the top, he can take credit. And if he fails, it is his responsibility.

“A story is built like a stone wall. Not all the stones will fit. Some will have to be discarded.”

Vincent’s advice for writing is also a metaphor for how one lives a contemplative life. Peak is the author of his own story, and he gets to decide how the story will unfold.

“This mountain is a lot bigger than I am. It’s humbling.”

Holly’s confidence and self-regard change on the slopes of Everest. The mountain forces her to feel insignificant and reflect on what truly matters to her. It is hard to imagine anyone on the mountain not undergoing some personal transformation, which makes Josh’s lack of character development even more significant.

“No one climbs a mountain thinking they’re not coming back down.”

Teri cautions Peak against thinking he is invincible while also telling him that he has to focus on the climb to the exclusion of all else if he is to have the best chance of success and survival. This gives Peak a glimpse of why his father rose to such elite status in the climbing world. His skill is commensurate with the degree to which he ignored his other responsibilities.

“He was crying. So was I. Apparently I had forgiven him.” 

After Peak saves Sun-jo, they realize that their former quarrels are meaningless in comparison to their lives, highlighting the theme of friendship and competition. Peak learns to let go of the loner, winner-take-all attitude that Josh embodies and to see living as a communal act.

“It’s nothing.”

Once Peak realizes how drastically the ascent will change Sun-jo’s life, he realizes that his own achievement will mean little in comparison. He is able to say the climb is nothing because he finally means it. He knows there are more important things.