Explorer explains shocking

Matthew Dieumegard-Thornton, who summited Mount Everest at just 22 years old in May 2012, shared that reaching the top was far from the peaceful experience he had imagined. The climb, which typically takes five to six weeks for acclimatization, became increasingly intense as he entered the “Death Zone,” where the lack of oxygen can cause delirium. Traversing dangerous crevices on ladders and passing dead bodies made the journey harrowing, and Dieumegard-Thornton admitted he had wrongly expected the summit to offer a tranquil ending if the worst were to happen.

Instead, he described the top of Everest as “hostile and extreme,” with roaring winds that reminded him of a horror movie soundtrack. Rather than feeling accomplished, he was struck by the terrifying realization of how far he was from help, knowing no one could rescue him if something went wrong. Hypoxic and disoriented, he forgot to take sponsor photos, focusing only on survival. He reflected that in such raw moments against nature, thinking only of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary.