[eddie willers]

Beck was lost on the South Col. (a flat saddle between Everest and it's adjoining mountain, Lhotse)

It is the site of Camp 4 and the last resting place before the assault and (hopefully) the return from the summit.

Though horribly frostbit and blinded, Beck was able to WALK....which allowed him to be assisted down the Lhotse Face into the Western Cwm, where a helicopter just barely made the highest rescue ever.

Had the weather not cleared, had there not been an IMAX team right behind, had Beck been unable to walk under his own power and had not the bravest helicopter pilot in the world been close at hand, Beck would have been left behind as well.

That's why he believes it was a miracle.

[Guenevere]

What are you quoting from?

I read the book, and from my recollection, Beck was left to die, but willed himself to get up and stumble down the mountain....where he was then tended to.

[abner]

Don't forget... Beck gave up the first seat on the helicopter for a climber that was in worse shape then him. That always gets me! The helicopter came back a 2nd time... and Beck got on.