| Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world can | | | | exhausted from their summit bid, and any little |
| be climbed from Nepal (South side) or Tibet (North | | | | mistake made by tiredness could be fatal. |
| side). Both sides have its pros and cons on reaching | | | | Having climbed the large boulders of the lower |
| the summit and neither is said to be any easier than | | | | section the climber is then faced with a 30 foot |
| the other. | | | | aluminum ladder. This ladder is there to help aid the |
| High up on the North East Ridge route from the | | | | climber over the last section of rock and was placed |
| Tibet side there are three protruding lumps of rock | | | | there in 1975 by a Chinese expedition. The whole of |
| which must be ascended to reach the summit. These | | | | the Second Step from bottom to top has fixed |
| lumps of rock are called the First, Second and Third | | | | ropes to help the climber ascend and descend it. |
| Steps. | | | | Since the ladder has been in place everyone makes |
| One of the most difficult hurdles that climbers have | | | | the most of its presence and uses it to help them |
| to face is the Second Step. It is situated at a height | | | | ascend the Second Step. Today, many people |
| of approximately 28,140ft. It is in two sections, the | | | | wonder if the likes of George Leigh Mallory and his |
| lower part consists of large boulders, followed by a | | | | climbing partner Andrew Irvine could have climbed |
| steep snow gully that leads you onto the fixed | | | | the Second Step back in 1924 without any ladder |
| ladder. Overall it is about a 130feet in height. If this | | | | being there. It is an interesting thought, as many of |
| Second Step was at sea level it would be classed as | | | | the worlds best climbers of today have had to rely |
| a 'walk in the park'. | | | | on the use of the fixed ladder. Maybe it was beyond |
| What make's this a hard obstacle to over come is | | | | Mallory and Irvine's climbing capability to ascend it, |
| the altitude and the exposure. The ever presence of | | | | then again, with the climbing skills and determination |
| falling, waiting around for your turn to climb or fear | | | | that Mallory had maybe it was within there capability |
| of getting frostbite makes it even worse for the | | | | and they managed to climb it with ease, who knows! |
| climber. The climber usually ascends the Second Step | | | | Thanks to the presence of the ladder at the Second |
| in total darkness after leaving their top camp at | | | | Step it has made life for the climber just a little bit |
| around midnight. Descending the Step on the way | | | | easier. Nearly all those who ascend the Second Step |
| back down from the summit is no easier, you are | | | | go on to fulfill their life time dreams by reaching and |
| basically blind to as where you are putting your feet | | | | standing on the summit of the highest mountain on |
| and the climber must remember that he/she is totally | | | | earth. |