On an expedition that can last up to thirty days, group dynamics are critical. Among the harsh elements of the mountain, existence narrows to the endless labor of ascending and meeting basic needs. That ultimate presence, that forced simplicity is what enthralls so many climbers. It strips people to their very foundations, vaporizing facades and peeling away layers down to the truest one—which is why any adventurer aims to be sure that whomever they’re spending a month straight with is tolerable at minimum. At the same time, altitude plays tricks on the brain. People are initially euphoric
