The Fatal Game

An account from famed New Zealand Mountain Climber Mark Whetu of his attempt in 1997 to conquer Mt. Everest for the 3rd time by way of the North Ridge, recognised as one of the most dangerous routes but this time in the company of 53 year old Aussie friend Mike Reinberger who had tried to reach the summit of Everest 6 or 7 times previously which ALL resulted in failure. Reaching the summit had become an obsession with Mike but at each attempt he had become a year older, muscles and bones began to ache earlier in the climb and there was now a definite feel for Mike, that perhaps time was running out so this latest attempt was like "it's now or never" time. So what happened? What went wrong. Were they succesful in their goal?