In this chapter, Joe and Simon are still making their way up the mountain, but closer to the summit than before. It starts off with the two climbers leaving the area where they were sleeping after they packed all the gear into their bags. Joe comments that it is easier than it previously was. Joe leads out of the cave climbing onto good water ice. After getting around a cascade Joe and Simon see a barrier of seracs, and no easy way to pass them.
The two climbers make progress up the mountain, climbing 1,000 feet. They stop to decide how they are going to get past this barrier. Simon decides that the best way to do it is by climbing a cascade. Whilst climbing the cascade it gives way to weak snow and ice, fortunately nothing serious happens to Joe and Simon. This soft ice makes/made it harder for Joe to climb up as the ice axes have to be more deeply driven into the snow which will therefore use more energy, extra caution also has to be taken.
Joe gets past the cascade and soft snow and reaches the icicles, but drives his hammer/axe into the fringe of ice, causing the icicles above to fall down onto him, and simon. Joe gets injured and his mouth is bleeding.
Joe points out that it is noticeably colder than it was then it had been further down the mountain.
They climb further up the mountain and make more progress, not without trouble of course. 300 feet below the summit they decide to bivi for the night.. The next day the climbers reach the summit the next day after the small journey. At the summit Joe asks himself whether he is doing this because because of his ego or for pleasure. Simon points out that there is a storm coming, so they get their skates on and start climbing back down the mountain. Joe stays at the top, while Simon makes his way down the mountain, helping to ensure safety. Simon suddenly falls through the corniced ridge that he is on, pulling Joe to the floor and smashing his chest into snow.
React!