Two weeks into the trip we were trapped in a snow-cave by a raging storm that lasted with more or less intensity for seven days. We stretched four days of rations into eight, and tried for the summit twice before the weather subsided enough to allow us to reach the top. On our second try, we had turned back 300 feet from the top when gusts of wind began lifting Barbara off her feet. Back in the snow cave that night we ate the last of our rice. Barbara offered: "You could go on your own and I'll wait here for you." The idea sounded good. I was keen to push up and "tag" the summit. This was a training trip for Everest, but during the expedition it had become something more. The expedition had become a team effort for the two of us....
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