Beyond Possible: One Soldier, Fourteen Peaks — My Life In The Death Zone

by Nimsdai Purja

In 2019, the Red Bull website claimed my goal was similar to ‘swimming to the moon’.

The mountains were just about the best therapy a person could experience.

I knew more than anyone that nature didn’t care for reputation, age, gender, or background. It was equally indifferent to personality: the mountain couldn’t give a shit if the people exploring it were morally nasty or nice.

The sharp peak curved towards the skyline like a shark’s tooth; it was glowing pink with the sunrise.