On the Edge Chapter 2

It is false that progress is “ a constant forward motion in the same direction”

Levine talks about the rigorous climb of Mount Everest.  An Everest climb is not straight to the top.  Here is the order

1. Base Camp
2. Camp 1
3. Back to Base Camp
4. Back to Camp 1
5. Camp 2
6. Back to Base Camp
7. Back to Camp 1
8. Back to Camp 2
9. Camp 3
10. Back to Base Camp
11. Back to Camp 1
12. Back to Camp 2
13. Back to Camp 3
    then the Summit (or the top)
     

There is so much back tracking you must do because the human body has to go through acclimatization - the process of getting use to higher elevations by the body producing more red blood cells to carry oxygen more evenly through the body

If you dont do this, you can get very dangerous altitude illnesses

“The mental trick is to understand that going down does not mean you’re losing ground, but rather strengthening the foundation of your effort.”