THE CHALLENGE OF EVEREST
H.P.S.
Ahluwalia
Answer the following questions in a sentence or two.
1) What is the author’s personal view about mountains?
Ans: The author
finds means of communion with God in the mountains. He considers mountains as nature’s best form
and appearance.
2) Why does man feels delighted in overcoming obstacles?
Ans: Man feels delighted in
overcoming obstacles because he is adventurous by nature. He loves taking
risks.
3) Why do people wish to climb Mount Everest?
Ans: People wish to climb Mount
Everest because it is the highest, the mightiest and has defied many previous
attempts. It is a brutal struggle with rock and ice. It gives a sense of
victory and happiness to the climber.
4) What was Phu Dorji’s task?
Ans: Phu Dorji was
entrusted with the task of opening the last camp.
5) When did the first summit party reach the top?
Ans: The first
summit party reached the top on 24th May.
6) What were the difficulties experienced by the second
summit party of Sonam?
Ans: The winds
continued to blow strong and Sonam’s back injury gave him much trouble. While
returning from the summit they had some trouble with their oxygen.
7) What was the fate of the third summit party of Vohra
and Ang Kami?
Ans: Vohra and Ang
Kami reached the top at 10.45 am. Vohra was able to go cine photography from
the top. Vohra’s oxygen was exhausted. They spent an uncomfortable night at the
last camp, vainly trying to warm their feet.
8) Who were the members of the fourth summit party?
Ans: The fourth
summit party, comprising B.P., Bogie, Rawat, Dorji and H.P.S. Ahulwalia.
9) What happened to camp III?
Ans: A huge
avalanche wiped out Camp III.
10) What happened to their oxygen cylinder?
Ans: Their oxygen
cylinders were buried under the avalanche.
11) Who is Rawat?
Ans: Rawat is four star general of the Indian Army. He is the first
and current Chief of Defence
Staff.
12) Who is Phu Dorji?
Ans: Phu Dorjee Sherpa was the first Nepali man and twenty-third
person in the world to climb Mount Everest. He was a member of the third Indian
Everest expedition 1965.
13) Who is Nepalese liaison officer?
Ans: Rana is
Nepalese liaison officer.
14) Who did plant the tri colour on the Mount Everest?
Ans: The tri colour
was planted by the first summit party on the Mount Everest.
Explain the following statements with reference to their
context.
1) ‘Could we search for the cylinders?’
Ans: Lesson: The
Challenge of Everest
Author: H.P.S.
Ahluwalia
Context: Ahluwalia and his party members were
exited to attempt the summit on the 26th May. Suddenly, the fearful
news that surprised everyone as there had been a huge avalanche over camp III
and everyone rushed outside. The sight was frightful and the camp had been
completely wiped out and nothing was visible except a huge expanse of white. The cylinders of life-sustaining oxygen which
they had carefully conserved and stored in the camp had been buried under the
avalanche. And with them too, it seemed were buried the hopes of the summit
party reaching the top. The leaders had no option except to call off the final
assault as without oxygen it was foredoomed to failure. Ahluwalia asked leader
that they could search for the cylinders. Such a search seemed both pointless
and hopeless whoever heard of bottles being dug out from under a huge mass of
snow. The leader gave them four Sherpas to assist with the search including
Nepalese Liaison officer, Rana.
2) ‘If not you, oh God, who will help us?’
Ans: Lesson: The
Challenge of Everest
Author: H.P.S.
Ahluwalia
Context: The avalanche had poured over their
camp in a tide of Whiteness. Everything had disappeared under the snow. Without
wasting much time, they organized themselves and started digging with the hope
that they might find some oxygen cylinders, if not the rest of the equipment.
It was tough going. Mind and body fought desperately to conquer fatigue and
bitter cold, to win the race against time. After digging for six hours,
Ahluwalia was worn out and depressed. He glanced at the Sherpas. They too were
downcast. The minutes seemed like years but eventually time that relentless
enemy entered their calculations. They could not go on like that much longer.
It was at that crucial stage that he happened to glance at the Sherpas once
again. They were praying. And at that moment God seemed very near. Ahluwalia
began to pray, “If not you, oh God, who will help us?” He began digging again.
Suddenly his axe struck an oxygen cylinder. His prayer had been answered and
the miracle gave him new life. It was at that stage that he felt a fierce
determination flowing back into him nothing could stop them from reaching the
summit.
3) It was a massive avalanche and we were lucky that we were
not in camp when in struck.
Ans: Lesson: The
Challenge of Everest
Author: H.P.S.
Ahluwalia
Context: fearful news that surprised everyone
as there had been a huge avalanche over camp III and everyone rushed outside.
The sight was frightful and the camp had been completely wiped out and nothing
was visible except a huge expanse of white.
The cylinders of life-sustaining oxygen which they had carefully
conserved and stored in the camp had been buried under the avalanche. Only the
jet-black rocks of the Lhotse face protruded from the thick white blanket. The
icy winds of South Col howled at them without respite and lashed their faces.
It was a massive avalanche and they were lucky that they were not in camp when
it struck. Without wasting much time, they organized themselves and started
digging with the hope that they might find some oxygen cylinders, if not the
rest of the equipment. Doubt and determination kept up a running battle in his
weary mind.
4) Mind and body fought desperately to conquer fatigue
and bitter cold to win the race against time.
Ans: Lesson: The
Challenge of Everest
Author: H.P.S.
Ahluwalia
Context: It was a massive avalanche and they
were lucky that they were not in camp when it struck. Without wasting much
time, they organized themselves and started digging with the hope that they
might find some oxygen cylinders, if not the rest of the equipment. Doubt and
determination kept up a running battle in his weary mind. They kept digging but
there appeared to be on sign either of the equipment or the oxygen cylinders.
It was tough going. Mind and body fought desperately to conquer fatigue and
bitter cold, to win the race against time. Towards late afternoon, after
digging for six hours, He was worn out and depressed. He glanced at the Sherpas.
They too were downcast.
5) ‘the highest rubbish heap is the world’.
Ans: Lesson: The Challenge of Everest
Author: H.P.S.
Ahluwalia
Context: Mount
Everest has turned into a dumping ground as the growing numbers of climbers
leave their trash behind on the mountain. Ahluwalia noticed while
laying ropes, quick draws, harnesses and other mountaineering equipment.
Overcoming the world's tallest peak unscathed takes meticulous preparation,
even for an experienced mountaineer. It will be his first time climbing
beyond Everest base camp. But right now the scale of the dangerous challenge is
not what concerns. The growing
population of people climbing means Everest is becoming a picnic spot for more
of the 'hobbyists' rather than the previously genuine climbers. The landscape of snow and ice is littered with tents,
empty oxygen tanks, climbing equipment, food containers, and human waste left.
Answer the following questions in 300 words.
1) Explain the last phase of Ahluwalia’s journey to the
summit?
Or
Describe the experience of Ahluwalia on top of the world.
Ans: HPS Ahluwalia was one of the members of the
first ever successful team that reached the top of Mount Everest n 1965. The
chapter discusses his emotions and moods on reaching the top of the summit. On
reaching the top, HPS Ahluwalia shares his sense of joy and triumph at being
among the first ones to reach the top. Besides these two natural emotions,
there was also a lot of humility, for they thanked God for making it possible.
HPS Ahluwalia was, however, surprised that sadness was also reflected in his sentiments
on having accomplished the feat. Even when the joy lasts a lifetime, there was
a deep sense of sorrow because the ultimate goal had been attained. There was a
certain sense of vacuum and aimlessness that had replaced the earlier
objectives. “And there would be nothing higher to climb and all roads hereafter
would lead down?” Ahluwalia kept asking himself how much longer and how much
father. On every climb, one was assailed by those doubts. There came a time
when the mind and the body dwelled on the sheer bliss of going downhill again.
He was in such a state. Yet another part in him urged him to go on. It couldn’t
be more than a few feet then. Heaves, was there no end? And then suddenly there
was an end, no more little lumps, only a little dome curving slightly above
them. Incredible! It was the summit of Everest. Linking arms, they climbed the
last few feet together. The tri-colour planted by their first summit party was
flying, tattered but jaunty. Ahluwalia and their party left symbols of reverence
on Mount Everest.
2) Explain the march of Rawat and Bogie from the last
camp.
Ans: Rawat and Bogie followed Ahlu and Phu
Dorji had left. Bogie was finding the climb very difficult and was taking each
step after considerable delay. They had hardly gone fifty or sixty feet from
the camp when Bogie sat down and, after a while said he could not proceed any
further. He felt weak and exhausted and had to make a lot of effort to take
even a few steps. He decided to unrope and asked Rawat to go ahead and join the
first rope. Rawat was in a dilemma
whether to leave Bogie or not. A quick decision had to be taken. Bogie’s
condition did not appear very serious and he could wait for them at the last
camp. Rawat was prepared to take the risk of a lonely climb. After a few
minutes deliberation he decided to go on.
Rawat was concentrating hard on the climb and
took each step carefully on the share ice-ridge. Would he get to Ahlu and Phu
or not? That was the vital question. There was nothing to break his fall for a
mile or more. Once he had to cut ice with his axe before he could find a place
to hook his fingers. He was breathless and did not know that to do. He kept
shaking his head and waiting his hands to attract Alhu and Phu attention but it
did not help. He had been struggling all alone for almost an hour and a half.
And then he joined Ahlu and Phu waiting for him at the base of the South
Summit.
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1) What were the feelings of the writer while
standing on Everest?
Ans: Jubilant and sad were the feelings of the writer while standing on
Everest.
2) Which were emotions did grip the writer?
Ans: Humility and a sense of smallness were emotions gripped the writer.
3) What did the summit of the mind refer to?
Ans: The summit of the mind referred to living the world of thought and
imagination.
4) What were the three qualities that played
a major role in the author’s climb?
Ans: Endurance, persistence and
will power were the three qualities that played a major role in the author’s
climb.
5) Why is adventure, which is risky, also
pleasurable?
Ans: Man takes delight in overcoming obstacles and doing what is
difficult. So, the adventure is risky and also pleasurable.
6) What was it about Mount Everest that the
author found irresistible?
Ans: The author found irresistible about Mount Everest was one reason quite
obviously was because the Everest is the highest and the mightiest and the
earlier attempts to reach its top had failed. The author found in climbing
mountains a way to have a communion with God and nothing could be better than
the Everest.
7) One does not do it (climb a high peak) for
fame alone. What does one do it for, really?
Ans: Climbing the mountains is a life changing experience and it teaches
you lesson that last a life time. According to the author, one doesn’t just
climb the highest peak for fame or because of the undying love that man has for
adventure. He does so also to lift himself above his immediate surroundings, to
rise above the pettiness of life.
8) “He becomes conscious in a special manner
of his own smallness in this large universe.” This awareness defines an emotion
mentioned in the first paragraph. Which is the emotion?
Ans: The emotion is humility. Climbing the mountain peak makes you
really humble. Looking from the mountain peak, one finds his surroundings
really small and one’s position in that surroundings further smaller.
9) What were the “symbols of reverence” left
by member of the team on Everest?
Ans: The symbols of reverence were a picture of Guru Nanak, left by
H.P.S. Ahluwalia. Rawat left a picture of Goddess Durga. Phu Dorji left a relic
of Buddha and Edmund Hillary buried a cross.
10) What, according to the writer, did his
experience as an Everester teach him?
Ans: The writer learnt to be able to reach the top and not leave the
venture half way, one needed all three. Team work was needed; each one’s life
was deeply entangled with the actions of the other climbers. You could not risk
the life of others due to your errors and also team work could help others
emerge out of their difficulties too. Humility and gratitude should needed to
thank God for every their success. The major qualities needed; endurance,
persistence and will power.
11) In which year did HPS Ahluwalia undertake
the expedition to Everest?
Ans: HPS Ahluwalia undertook the expedition to Everest in 1965.
12) According to Ahluwalia, why do people climb
mountains?
Ans: People climb mountains because they wish to face challenges and
overcome obstacles according to HPS Ahluwalia.
13) During the climb up to the mountains, who
inspires the climbers?
Ans: The fellow climbers inspire each other while climbing up the
mountains.
14) What does Ahluwalia have to say about the
relationship between mountain climbing and life?
Ans: There is a very close connection between these two journeys. His
experience as an Everester gave him the inspiration to face life’s ordeals with
great confidence.
15) How does the author view himself in the light
of his surroundings, as he reaches the summit?
Ans: As the author reaches the summit he becomes more conscious of his
smallness as he sees the universe from the mountain peak.
16) Why does the author become sad on reaching the
top of the mountain?
Ans: The author became sad on reaching the top of the mountain because
their goal had been attained and now a certain vacuum had overcome in the
absence of an aim and there was no other higher mountain remaining to climb.
17) Why does HPS Ahluwalia compare climbing the
mountain to a battle?
Ans: H.P.S. Ahluwalia was retired Major and he considered climbing the
mountain to battle because one faces many obstacles and hindrances which
consume every bit of the climber’s energy. The passage back is also as
difficult as the passage forward and it exhausts you entirely. Just like in a
battle it is a matter of life and death similarly in mountain climbing, the
climbers are always putting their life in risk while climbing, as a wrong step
take like of the climber as equal to a wrong decision take life of solider in a
battle field.
18) Why does the author not abandon the climb
halfway?
Ans: The author did not abandon the climb halfway because there was
something which was inspiring author and did not allow him to give up.
Simultaneously his fellow mates were cheering up him by saying only few feet
remaining for the summit. The companions were always a source of inspiration.
19) Was reaching the top of the Everest the last
challenge that the author wished to face?
Ans: No, reaching the top of the Everest was not the last challenge that
the author wished to face. He mentioned to face summit within was the next
challenge to face.
20) Why is important to climb the ‘summit within’?
Ans: It is important to climb the summit within because the climb is
equally difficult, but once attained it change us forever. It enables us to
become more humble, gentler and more grateful and also help us to get closer to
God. Life’s challenges with great confidence would be faced by such lesson.
21) Describe the scene that offers delight to the
author as he reached the top of the Everest.
Ans: The sun rays created an illusion of a jewelled necklace around the
neck of the summit. A little below the mountains were various sloping valleys
that added to the beauty on the place. From the summit, the author could see
other silvery peaks, which gave him a lot of pleasure. As one looked down, it
appeared as if the ultimate work ship to God was being offered. He could also
see other peaks through the clouds giving the eye glimpses of great picturesque
beauty.
22) Discuss the importance of the records
left by famous climbers.
Ans: The records provide the future climbers with acquaintance to pact
with alike difficulties and conquer those obstacles. The records left by famous
climbers largely confer and share their occurrences and difficulties at having
made it to the top. These records are also accounts of encouragement. They motivate
the future climbers to not give up their climb midway.
23) Discuss the significance of leaving
religious or spiritual symbols on mountain tops.
Ans: The pictures or symbols of God on the mountain top are a way of
expressing thankfulness for having achieved that point and being safe and
healthy. The writer also discusses how reaching the mountain top is symbolic of
attaining God. The act makes attaining God on reaching the top both accurately
and figuratively factual.
