Giving up Everest | Tomorrow's World

Giving up Everest

11th July 2006
Rod McNair
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On May 26, 2006, high on the north slope of Mount Everest, Daniel Mazur, Olympia, Washington climbing guide was faced with a life or death decision. He was climbing the summit of Everest when he and his party encountered a most unusual sight. "Mazur, his two clients and a Sherpa guide were just two hours from the 29,035-foot peak… when they came across 50-year-old Lincoln Hall, who was left a day earlier when his own guides believed he was dead. 'I was shocked to see a guy without gloves, hat, oxygen bottles or sleeping bag at sunrise at 28,200 feet height, just sitting up there,' said Mazur… Mazur said Hall's first words to him were: 'I imagine you are surprised to see me here.'" ("Man Gives up Everest Climb for Rescue," New York Times, June 8, 2006)

Only two hours away from the summit at the top of the world, they found a man just sitting there – in one of the most inhospitable spots on our planet! What choice was Mr. Mazur faced with? Help Lincoln Hall and save a man's life, or ignore a fellow human being's plight to save his own goal of reaching the summit.

After months of preparation, thousands of dollars spent, and flying halfway around the world there was a lot invested in this goal! All the vagaries of mountain climbing – the weather, the health risks, even death itself – they had faced and won. And now to be this close to their goal and give it up? Was there temptation to pass up Hall and leave him there?

There was – and others did just that. The same article continues: "While Mazur's team was busy assisting Hall, two… climbers walked past them toward the summit… 'I don't know why they didn't want to stop to help,' Mazur said. 'I hope when I am there, in that state, and someone passes me ... I hope it is someone like me.'" And just one week before, on May 15, nearly 40 climbers walked right by Briton David Sharp, 34, who was about 1,000 feet into his descent. He died. (Ibid.)

We aren't all climbing Everest. But if we are Christians, we have been called to lay down our lives for one another. Jesus gave the parable of the Good Samaritan to show we all should be willing to help one another in time of need – even if it means we must sacrifice something. What are you willing to sacrifice for your neighbor, mate, or family members? Your time? Your own will or way? Your pride?

Jesus said, in Luke 10:30, "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side… But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him" (Luke 10:30-35).

We don't know what this Samaritan gave up in order to help the man. But whatever inconvenience it cost him, he had compassion, he stopped to think about others, and took care of a need. Daniel Mazur was a true neighbor to that lonely, scared, and dying climber up there on the slopes of Everest. We should look around and see who needs us – and who we can serve and help in their need.

Did Daniel Mazur have any regrets about giving up the summit, to save Lincoln Hall? As he says in the conclusion of the article, "We all looked at the summit and then returned," he said. "We all agreed there was no choice"