To avoid tearing up their...

To avoid tearing up their supergators climbers sometimes carry them up to the high camp before putting them on. This of course means that you have to put them on at close to 20,000 ft. Which can be a chore depending on how well you are adjusting to the altitude. If you glue them on doing it outside is a must. The climber in this photo. While doing well at this point collapsed from cerebral edema on his summit attempt the next morning. One moment he was moving well then he passed out smashing his face on the rocks. It took us 18 hours to get him off of the mountain to a safe altitude. 20,000 ft to 9,000 ft. December 9, 2001. Photo: J. D. Miller