My special thanks go to the mountaineer and historian Audrey Salkeld for her invaluable help, advice, and expertise.
My thanks also go to Simon Bainbridge, John Bryant, Rosie de Courcy, Anthony Geffen, Bear Grylls, George Mallory II, Alison Prince, and Mari Roberts.
Inspired by a true story
Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard
– Thomas Gray (1716-1771)