Summiting Mount Everest was an overwhelming experience.  Primarily, of course, it feels like an accomplishment.  After all, it’s the culmination of an exhausting two-month expedition.  It means that I was able to overcome many situations where there were thousands of reasons to turn around, but only a few for continuing.  Experiencing a sunrise at the highest point on earth is unforgettable, the view of everything around looking tiny is incredible.  But, the cold temperatures, the wind and the lack of oxygen are painful reminders that humans are not made for this environment and that the amount of time that can be spent on top of the world is limited.  Adding to this contradiction are the numerous visible and disturbing examples of how a human life can abruptly come to an end during a summit attempt.  So, I’ve found it to be difficult to put my summit experience into words without first digesting what I’ve experienced over the last few days.  Nevertheless, the following pictures should provide an initial impression of my Everest summit rotation.