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What advice does Peak's English teacher give him?
Start out with a hook; brutal truth in your own voice regardless of what society believes/thinks
Why was Peak in so much trouble?
The mayor was in the building at a reception and they thought he was a terrorist and then a couple of days later, a young boy with no experience tried to climb a building and fell, losing his life.
How did Peak successfully get away with climbing skyscrapers?
Studied them, inside and out; planned exits (elevators), put duct tape on the roof door and the slept in the stairwell until morning when the building was reopened for business he would just walk out.
What gear did his father get him?
Stove, rope, crampons, titanium ax, thermal gloves, camera, O2 regulator, altimeter watch, etc
What type of business did his father run?
Peak Experience - adventure travel com; for amateurs or experienced climbers alike.
What were his three options? What did he decide to do? Why?
1. finish the climb 2. Climb down - over 500 feet. 3. Wait for rescue. He decided to keep going up because his mom would "get him" if climbing the building didn't.
What punishment did Peak get (give the specifics)? Why?
On probation until the age of 18; fine of 150,000.00 refundable if he meets his sentence; gag order, no discussions and he must leave town with his father.
How did his dad react to having him with him now? Why?
He kind of ignored him. They had separate rows on each flight; asked him to pretend he was the big brother; said he was happy but was really stand offish and made lots of excuses not to hang out with Peak.
What did Peak realize about his climbing ability?
He had only climbed skyscrapers at sea lever and when Sun-jo passed him he realized he needed better lung capacity for the thin air.
Why were they keeping Peak's attempt to summit a secret?
Chinese - if they found out about putting a 14year old, they would pull the climbing permit; could not have an American beat their own record.
Why was he arrested?
Against the law to climb skyscrapers and tag them with graffiti
Why did Peak say that the twins were his best birthday present ever?
They won him over; they were brilliant, hilarious and worshipped the ground he walked on
Where was his dad taking him? Why?
Originally Chiang Mai, Katmandu then to Everest - to climb up the North side of Everest in Tibet; before his 15th birthday; youngest climber ever.
What things did they do on their way to Base Camp?
Hiked with full back packs alongside the truck everyday for 10 days. Talked and got to know each other along the way.
Why were the herders and porters so important? Why were the others annoyed with them?
They carried of the materials the climbers needed. On the downside, walking behind Yak dung was not fun and when things went missing Herders were usually the ones blames.
Why did he "tag" buildings?
It is the mystery of how it is done. - like graffiti - in his opinion there isn't enough mystery
Why were his parents so well known in the mountain climbing world? What had they accomplished?
They took the summit of El Cap in record time of 32:43, and broke other climbing records as well.
Why did Peak have to acclimate first? What is HAPE?
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema; body has to get used to thin air; if not lungs will fill with fluid and you can't breathe, you go into a coma and the only treatment is O's at a lower altitude.
What did Peak realize about why his father had brought him to Everest?
To be youngest climber ever to reach summit
What had Holly learned during her time on Everest?
She was getting older
What is unusual about his school? What was he known for?
No grades, no real name only known as the Green Street School, K-12, prodigies galore and Peak is known for being their writer.
What injury did his mom have? How did it happen?
Rock climbing in her back yard; fell 30 fell to the ground. She had a shattered hip and broken back.
How was Peak going to get to the Base Camp?
Zopa, former Head Sherpa, not a Buddhist monk would get him there to base camp in a couple of weeks.
What was unusual about Zopa?
Not a frail monk - powerful arms and legs and when he changed into every day clothes he looked like a movie star.
What advice did Peak's mother give him about the climb?
Focus on the task. Don't think about anyone but yourself. Concentrate on the climb and stop when you know it is time