Breaking Trail

"During those terrifying moments when the enormous avalanche cloud covered the glacier, I realized with horror that six people might die and I had been responsible for bringing them here. I regretted ever coming to Annapurna, ever wanting to climb mountains, ever dreaming of women going to 8,000 meters. Let them live, I prayed, and we'll go home and leave Annapurna in peace."

"Summit morning, October 15, 1978, the climbers got up at 4:00 A.M. While putting on her crampons, Piro noticed a hole in her glove and that her right index finger was frozen solid. Dreading the possibility of mutilation or amputation, Piro put her finger in her armpit and leapt back into the tent, crampons and all, to thaw her finger, her summit bid abandoned."