In 2007 this blog is dedicated to the Brotherhood of the Rope. The excellent picture above shows Mount Everest in the middle with a dark shadow across the mountain. The large shadow across the mountain symbolizes the events that occurred close to the summit last year.
See my January 1 post on the Brotherhood of the Rope. The rope gives us the strength of connection to climb mountains while the Brotherhood of the Rope is the psychological and deeper connection we share with each other. David Sharp was left to die on Everest last year as 40 climbers went past him. As opposed to my thoughts about this situation I encourage you to read the following two posts:
- Banjo Bannon’s open letter to Everest Climbers: Remember David Sharp!
- Death on Everest: An Ethics Lesson.
Most of us will never be faced with a situation of this magnitude in such thin air with such high stress and so close to the summit of our lives. I am not so interested in our judgement of the climbers who kept climbing as in the application of this story to our daily interactions with those we encounter as we mount our own personal summits.
Grab the rope as you take care and carry on caring.
Picture Credit: Mt Everest at sunset Sagarmatha national park by http://flickr.com/photos/canuck01/108200219/
Hi David,
I spent my high school years sailing on a tall ship and at sea there is a long tradition and legal obligation to assist a fellow mariner in distress. I find that this early life training left me with a strong sense of service and to this day it is difficult for me to not assist another person in need.
It is unfathomable how so many climbers could leave another to die as they pursued their goals. I might be able to understand if their own lives were at risk but that did not appear to be the case.
I am currently in the process of designing a leadership development program to be delivered “at sea, under sail” which will among other things cover decisionmaking and ethics. Thanks for the post which offers lots of food for thought.
I appreciate your comments and your experience.
I took an Outward Bound course when I was in my early 20’s. It was a very enriching experience…we climbed mountains in the Canadian Rockies and gave help to seniors in the community.
I will never forget the motto: To serve, to strive, and not to yield.
Let me know if I can be of any assistance with your leadership development program.
Take care and carry on caring,
David