[Guenevere]

Yes, and in that book & on that expedition they left the 'doctor' to die because he had become altitude blind...

...(the doctor had the laser surgery so he wouldn't need glasses, but the altitude affected his eyesight)...

..and he, in sheer determination, knowing they left him there to die...

...got down the mountain!

He lost fingers, nose and more....but he's alive.

[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.