PAUL ACADEMY
About the Lesson
"I Keep My Tryst with Everest" is an inspiring autobiographical account by Bachendri Pal, the first Indian woman to scale Mount Everest. The narrative details her momentous climb to the summit on May 23, 1984, highlighting the challenges and triumphs she faced along the way. Accompanied by her rope-leader Ang Dorjee, Pal's journey exemplifies courage, perseverance, and teamwork in the face of extreme physical and environmental conditions. The text serves not only as a personal recount of an extraordinary achievement but also as a testament to human endurance and the drive to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. Through vivid descriptions and reflective moments, the narrative captures the essence of high-altitude mountaineering and the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.
Text /Summary/Critical Analysis
Critical Summary of “I Keep My Tryst with Everest”
"I Keep My Tryst with Everest" recounts the first successful Everest ascent by Bachendri Pal, the first Indian woman to achieve this feat. The narrative provides a detailed account of her journey from the South Col to the summit on May 23, 1984. Starting at 4 am, Bachendri, along with her rope leader Ang Dorjee, began their ascent in freezing temperatures. Ang Dorjee chose to climb without oxygen, a risky decision that required quick movement to avoid prolonged exposure to the cold. Despite the physical challenges, Bachendri remained confident in her climbing abilities and decision to accompany him.
The early stages of the climb were treacherous, with the frozen slopes resembling sheets of glass. Despite this, Bachendri kept pace with Dorjee, reaching the Summit Camp in less than two hours—an impressive feat compared to previous climbers. As they continued, Lhatoo Dorjee, another climber, joined them, and the team roped together for safety as the climb intensified. With increased oxygen flow, Bachendri found the ascent manageable but was soon faced with intense winds and near-zero visibility.
The most perilous part of the climb involved traversing Hillary's Step, a near-vertical section. Bachendri, encouraged by Ang Dorjee, pushed through, reaching the summit at 1:07 pm. Standing at the peak of Everest, she experienced a mix of exhilaration and gratitude. She paid homage to her parents, her guide Ang Dorjee, and the mountain itself, demonstrating a profound sense of reverence and accomplishment.
Critical EvaluationThe narrative is a powerful portrayal of courage, determination, and the indomitable human spirit. Bachendri Pal’s detailed account of the physical and mental challenges faced on the world’s highest peak highlights her resilience. The text also brings forth themes of teamwork, leadership, and humility. Ang Dorjee’s support and Bachendri’s gratitude show the collaborative nature of such monumental achievements. The vivid descriptions of the landscape and the psychological pressures faced during the climb evoke the reader’s empathy and admiration for the climbers. The story stands as an inspirational tale of breaking barriers, particularly for women in a male-dominated field of high-altitude mountaineering.
Questions/Answers/ Assessments
A. Put the sentences in the correct sequence to reconstruct the story:
Bachendri was ready for the climb at 5.30 am.
Ang Dorjee wanted to start immediately as he planned to go to the top from the South Col and be back in a day.
At 6.20 am, Ang Dorjee and Bachendri stepped out from the South Col and began their climb.
They climbed unroped and had to use the ice-axes to bite into the frozen surface.
They reached the Summit Camp in less than two hours.
Lhatoo Dorjee, her rope mate, caught up with them when they rested below the South Summit.
Lhatoo Dorjee increased the oxygen flow on her regulator to make her ascent easier.
They had to do very challenging and perilous climbing between the South Summit and Hillary's Step.
Finally, at 1.07 pm on 23 May, 1984, Bachendri stood on top of Everest, the first Indian woman ever to have done so.
Bachendri first anchored herself and then sank on her knees. Putting her forehead on the snow, she kissed Sagarmatha's crown.
She bowed in respect before Ang Dorjee and congratulated him on his second ascent of Everest without oxygen.
He also congratulated her and whispered, "You climb well—very happy, Didi."
B. Answer the following questions:
In your own words justify the title “I Keep My Tryst with Everest.”
The title signifies the fulfillment of a long-awaited goal or appointment with Mount Everest. Bachendri Pal had always dreamed of conquering Everest, and the narrative recounts how she achieved this, keeping her 'tryst' with the mountain.
Bachendri took a risk and for Ang Dorjee it was a challenge. Justify the statement.
Bachendri took the risk of climbing with minimal oxygen, knowing the hazards of thin air and fatigue. For Ang Dorjee, it was a challenge to ascend and descend without oxygen and avoid long exposure at high altitudes, which pushed him to complete the climb in one day.
Describe the difficulties the team faced between the South Summit and Hillary's Step.
The team faced strong winds, poor visibility due to whipping powder snow, and had to navigate a knife-edge ridge with steep drops on either side. The challenging vertical face of Hillary's Step required careful and deliberate climbing.
Ang Dorjee's team consisted of three members. Describe how each one contributed to making their ascent a success. What did you observe about teamwork?
Ang Dorjee: The leader, setting the pace and guiding the team with his expertise.
Lhatoo Dorjee: Supported Bachendri by increasing her oxygen supply and balancing the team.
Bachendri Pal: Maintained stamina, followed instructions, and climbed confidently.
The narrative shows that teamwork, mutual trust, and clear communication are essential for success in such extreme conditions.
Describe the top of the summit. What immediate precautions did they take for their safety?
The summit was small, barely large enough for two people to stand, with steep drops on all sides. For safety, they anchored themselves by digging their ice-axes into the snow.
On reaching the South Summit, what did Ang Dorjee say to encourage the other two?
Ang Dorjee expressed surprise and delight when Bachendri said she was not tired. He encouraged her by comparing their speed to the earlier summit party, motivating them to maintain their pace.
On reaching the top of Everest, what did Bachendri do?
Bachendri anchored herself, sank to her knees, and kissed the snow at Sagarmatha's crown. She then folded her hands and paid respect to Ang Dorjee.
What was her interaction with Ang Dorjee? What does this tell you about her?
She congratulated him on his second ascent, and he responded with praise for her climbing. This shows her humility, gratitude, and respect for her team members.
C. Read the lines and answer the questions:
a. Who is the narrator?The narrator is Bachendri Pal.b. What information do you get about the narrator?She is an experienced mountaineer with great stamina and determination, the first Indian woman to summit Everest.c. What two considerations did Ang Dorjee have in order to make a successful climb?He had to avoid prolonged exposure to high altitudes without oxygen and complete the ascent and descent within a day.d. What was the narrator's fear at first? How does she waive it off?She feared that Ang Dorjee might turn back if his feet got too cold, but she waived it off, trusting his judgment and her own stamina.
a. Why was Ang Dorjee delighted?He was delighted that Bachendri wasn't tired and had kept up the pace.b. What has Ang Dorjee just told the team about an earlier summit party? How would this affect the team?He mentioned that the earlier team took twice as long to reach the Summit Camp. This boosted their morale and encouraged them to maintain their pace.c. What did they do at the Summit Camp?They rested and drank tea before continuing their ascent.d. What new formation did the team make to progress further?They roped up for balance and security, with Ang Dorjee leading, Lhatoo in the middle, and Bachendri at the back.
a. What does the speaker do to overcome the eddies of the strong winds?She crouches down with her back to the wind and digs her ice-axe deep for stability.b. What had Lhatoo done to ease her efforts to climb?He increased the oxygen flow on her regulator, making the climb easier.c. Describe the climb between the South Summit and Hillary's Step.It was a perilous climb with treacherous snow and wind, and involved tricky negotiation of steep vertical faces like Hillary's Step.d. Ang Dorjee gesticulates towards the top. How does this affect Bachendri?She feels thrilled and motivated, knowing that the summit is near.
a. Whose heart stood still? What did the person realize?Bachendri’s heart stood still as she realized that she was just moments away from reaching the summit of Everest.b. What did the person do on reaching the summit? Name the summit.She anchored herself, kissed the snow, and paid her respects at the summit of Mount Everest (Sagarmatha).c. What other thought came to her mind?She thought of her parents and felt gratitude toward them.d. How does this narrative end?The narrative ends with Bachendri and Ang Dorjee congratulating each other on their successful ascent.
D. Think and answer:
Why were her parents the first persons that Bachendri remembered as she stood on top of Everest? Who is the other person she paid respects to?
Her parents had played an important role in her life, and she felt deep gratitude toward them. She also paid respects to Ang Dorjee, her rope leader, for his guidance and support.
Do you notice she is a woman of 'Simple living but high thinking'? Point out instances that validate this statement.
Yes, her modesty and respect for her teammates, especially when she bowed to Ang Dorjee and congratulated him, and her simple reaction to achieving a monumental goal (kissing the snow and thinking of her parents), reflect her simple living and high thinking.
Ang Dorjee is a good leader with a clear goal. Give examples from the text to justify this statement.
Ang Dorjee planned carefully, insisting on making the ascent in a day without prolonged exposure, guided Bachendri patiently, and set a pace that ensured success.
The story shows a close relationship between the climbers and perfect team spirit. Bring out instances of this from the narrative.
The climbers supported each other, with Lhatoo adjusting Bachendri’s oxygen, and Ang Dorjee motivating her throughout the climb. The team’s cooperation and mutual respect were key to their success. The story illustrates the power of teamwork in overcoming extreme challenges.
E. Discuss in class:
Compare the experiences and values of mountain climbing versus modern sports like bungee jumping and skydiving.
Discuss the main risks mountaineers face in climbing mountains like Everest.
Talk about how mountain climbing can enrich your life and whether you would take up the challenge. If so, which mountain would you choose to climb?
Mountain Climbing vs. Modern Sports: A Comparison of Experiences and Values
Mountain climbing and modern sports like bungee jumping and skydiving offer vastly different experiences and values. Mountain climbing, particularly scaling peaks like Everest, is a long-term challenge requiring preparation, physical endurance, mental fortitude, and teamwork. The experience is gradual and deeply immersive, with climbers navigating extreme conditions over several days or weeks. The values associated with mountain climbing include perseverance, resilience, and connection with nature, as climbers push their limits in unpredictable environments.
In contrast, sports like bungee jumping and skydiving are short, adrenaline-pumping activities that provide instant thrills. These modern sports focus on the rush of defying gravity, offering a sense of adventure in controlled settings. While they demand courage and a willingness to face fear, the experiences are quick and relatively safe due to established protocols. The values here are more about seizing the moment and conquering fear in an instant rather than enduring prolonged hardship.
Both types of sports share the value of challenging oneself, but mountain climbing also instills a sense of humility, patience, and respect for nature's power. In contrast, bungee jumping and skydiving emphasize a more fleeting connection with adventure and thrill.
Main Risks Mountaineers Face in Climbing Mountains Like Everest
Mountaineers tackling peaks like Everest face numerous risks that test their physical and psychological limits. Some of the most significant dangers include:
Altitude Sickness: As climbers ascend, oxygen levels drop drastically, leading to acute mountain sickness (AMS). Severe cases can result in cerebral or pulmonary edema, which can be fatal if untreated.
Weather Conditions: Extreme weather changes, including high winds, storms, and freezing temperatures, make climbing unpredictable and perilous. These conditions can result in frostbite, hypothermia, or even death if climbers are exposed for too long.
Avalanches and Icefall: In mountainous regions like the Himalayas, avalanches and falling ice are constant threats. Unstable snow and ice can shift suddenly, creating deadly slides that engulf climbers.
Physical Exhaustion and Dehydration: The prolonged strain of climbing, combined with the scarcity of oxygen, can lead to extreme exhaustion. Climbers need to conserve energy, stay hydrated, and maintain their strength, which is challenging at such high altitudes.
Technical Challenges: Certain sections of the climb, like the "Hillary Step" on Everest, require technical climbing skills. A mistake can lead to falls, serious injury, or death.
Mental Strain: The isolation, fear, and high-pressure environment take a toll on climbers’ mental health. Many have to push through anxiety, doubt, and the fear of not making it back.
How Mountain Climbing Can Enrich Your Life
Mountain climbing offers a deep sense of accomplishment and growth that few other activities can match. The process of preparing for and conquering a challenging peak teaches climbers patience, determination, and discipline. The journey, often filled with hardships and close calls, builds resilience and confidence, fostering an appreciation for nature’s beauty and power. Climbers also learn to respect their limits, cooperate with teammates, and navigate uncertainty with calm and focus.
Reaching the summit of a mountain, after days of effort, can be life-changing. It offers a profound sense of achievement, humility, and inner peace. Climbers often reflect on their priorities, gaining clarity on what truly matters in life.
Would I Take Up the Challenge?
If given the chance, I would definitely take up the challenge of mountain climbing, as it seems like a perfect blend of physical and mental endurance, combined with personal growth. I would choose to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Unlike Everest, Kilimanjaro doesn’t require technical climbing skills but still offers the thrill of summiting one of the world’s highest free-standing mountains. It’s known for its stunning scenery and varied ecosystems, from tropical rainforests to arctic landscapes near the summit. The journey would be both a physical test and a chance to appreciate the beauty and diversity of nature
