Sleepless Mountain (21)

"After all, if we just turn back without any results, we won't be able to give a proper explanation to the base camp, and the families of the victims won't forgive us." As a search and rescue team, it's already a regret if we can't bring back the living down the mountain. If we don't make the utmost effort to reach the highest possible altitude, or fail to recover the bodies or belongings of the deceased, it would be a dereliction of our duty. If we descend now, we might face public condemnation. So, we left our large tents and cooking equipment at C1, took only basic gear and dry rations, and after contacting base camp at 10 AM, we began ascending towards C2. Although no strange incidents occurred along the way, the four of us didn't exchange a single word. Except when absolutely necessary, we tried not to make any noise, as if we were afraid that making a sound would alert whatever exists on this mountain to our presence, and invite something that doesn't belong in this world. But I know, this is just our way of deceiving ourselves. Whatever is on this mountain, it knows we are here. Even if we make no sound, and hide behind rocks, it would be of no use. Yet, even though we all knew this, we could only lower our heads and keep moving, praying that no more strange things would happen. Otherwise, our already strained nerves might snap at any moment. Fortunately, nothing unusual happened on the way up, and we successfully reached C2.