Preface
In 1998, Frances Asentife collapsed on the 8,000-meter north face of Mount Everest due to exhaustion and never got up again. Nine years later, a mountaineer buried her, and during those nine years, she became a special kind of "signpost" on Mount Everest, affectionately known as the "Sleeping Beauty".
This mysterious and somewhat bizarre story begins with Frances's mountaineering trip. It is said that after successfully conquering Mount Everest, she unfortunately fell on the way down. This female mountaineer, who once stood on the top of the world, had a bad fate on the way back.
Why did Frances die at 8,000 meters of Mount Everest? What makes people even more curious is why her body is in such good condition at 8,000 meters from the cold Mount Everest, and has become a kind of "sleeping beauty"? What is the reason why her body has not been affected by decay and weathering?
A father's dream makes his daughter's pursuit
Frances Asentifer was born in 1958 in Hawaii, a place of sunshine and hope. However, her life is inseparable from the mountains. Because, her father was a mountaineering enthusiast.
As a child, Frances often traveled with her father to the mountains. While gradually mastering mountaineering skills, the scenery of the mountains also attracted her attention. Towering mountain peaks, unpredictable weather, and one challenge after another on the way to the mountain...... All of this made young Frances's blood run high and her heart surge. Yes, before she understood the meaning of the word "dream", she had fallen in love with the sport of mountaineering.
For Frances, the youthful yearning for the mountains has long gone beyond the mere pursuit of speed and physical limits, but is a way to dialogue with nature, which can sublimate and enrich her heart. On the top of the mountain, the world that is almost a small world seems to allow people to temporarily stay away from the hustle and bustle of the world and touch the source of life. This has also become one of the roots of her lifelong love for the mountains.
Her father was Frances's best teacher and guide. Under her father's guidance, she has successfully climbed several famous peaks in South America, such as the highest peak in South America, Mount Aconcagua, and the mysterious Mount Victoria. This undoubtedly laid a solid foundation for Frances to climb to the top of the world in the future.
What her father taught Frances was not only mountaineering skills, but also respect and reverence for nature. From an early age, Frances understood that the mountains were not objects of conquest, but of beings who spoke to us. Only by knowing how to listen can we gain philosophical insights from it.
When Frances grew into a big girl, her father retired from mountaineering due to age. But for Frances, the journey has only just begun. "Why Mountaineering?" Many people have asked Frances this. And her answer is always the same: "Because the mountains are there".
Yes, in Frances's mind, the reason for her desire to climb mountain after mountain was the sacred and mysterious attraction that emanated from the mountain itself. She firmly believes that as long as she strives for progress, she can continue to break through herself and touch the depths of life. It also became her motivation to go on adventure after adventure.
Ascend with your husband and conquer several peaks
During her many mountain climbs, Frances became acquainted with Sergei, who was also a mountaineering enthusiast. It turned out that Sergey also followed his father to climb mountains since he was a child and fell in love with the sport.
The two fell in love at first sight and soon entered the palace of marriage. After they got married, they became the best mountaineering companions and conquered many famous peaks. For example, it was during a difficult climb on the southern route of Mount Everest that Frances completely confirmed Sergei as the love of her mountaineering journey.
"He always stood three steps behind me, which gave me the most support when I was in trouble, and gave me plenty of space to explore freely. Frances said. And Sergey has repeatedly expressed his admiration for Francis: "She is the bravest and toughest woman I have ever met. ”
It can be said that Frances and Sergei are a natural pair of mountaineers. They supported each other, advanced and retreated together, and found happiness on this rugged road of conquest.
However, the trivialities of life and the children they raised together did not shake the pair's dream of mountaineering. In Frances's heart, the attraction of the mountains to her is far more powerful than any family responsibilities and female characters. She has always believed that she was born to constantly push the limits and resist the harsh tests of nature.
"Some people thought I would give up climbing just because I became a mother, but they were wrong. Frances once said, "My soul has long been one with the mountains, and it is the whole of my life." This kind of enthusiasm that borders on paranoia has also become one of the main reasons why she is desperate to go alone and finally pay a terrible price.
A jaw-dropping plan
In May 1998, Frances was already a mother of two. However, her passion for mountaineering has not diminished in the slightest. Instead, she came up with an incredible plan – to be the first woman, without any oxygen equipment, to reach the summit from the north face of Mount Everest!
Italian mountaineer Reinhold Messner had already managed to accomplish this feat before. Frances believes she is more than capable of replicating this art of action, and even wants to be the first woman to do so.
Neither her husband Sergey nor her friends approved of Frances's plan. Because there is no oxygen device to ensure it, this is tantamount to playing with life. What's more, Frances is already a mother of two children. But Frances's determination is set: "I want to prove that a woman can conquer the 'God-forbid pinnacle'." ”
We have to admire Frances's determination bordering on paranoia. However, when a mother is faced with a life-and-death decision, does her child also flash through her mind? Does she ever think that her mistake will make her two poor children feel the cruelty and impermanence of life in advance?
What is certain, however, is that in Frances's mind, the desire to prove herself and win trumps anything else. For her, achieving the impossible is far more important than family responsibilities.
Perhaps, in the era when Frances was growing up, women did have to pay more effort and price than men to prove their will and ability. However, when we already have other precious identities, we should still examine whether our inner paranoia is excessive. The final answer to all this has been difficult to find with the passing of Frances.
Take on the challenge of "Realm of the Dead", and the achievement is the first
In the early morning of May 22, 1998, Frances led a five-member mountaineering team from the north side of Mount Everest. After many dangers, with the full cooperation of her husband Sergei and her teammates, she successfully stood on the world's highest point at 8,848 meters above sea level. At this moment, Frances was so excited that she burst into tears, this is the crystallization of her dream for many years!
"I've finally proved that women can conquer Mount Everest!" She said excitedly to her husband on the other end of the intercom. And she officially became the first and only woman in history to reach the summit of Mount Everest without oxygen. This initiative set an example for later female mountaineers.
However, in this moment of victory, Frances noticed a "flag cloud" floating over the top of the mountain, which usually indicates that the weather is about to change. Frances judged that she had to go down the mountain as soon as possible, otherwise the consequences would be unimaginable. So, she hurriedly said goodbye to her teammates and began the difficult return journey.
At that moment, Francess was undoubtedly thrilled - she had finally accomplished this almost impossible feat! The eyes of the world will be on this intrepid female mountaineer. Her name will be remembered as a monument in the history of feminism.
However, while Frances was basking in the joy of victory, fate quietly brought out the cruelest side. When she looked up at the floating "flag cloud," did she also feel a trace of fear and anxiety in her heart? Did she also faintly feel that her determination and courage would eventually be smoothed out by this icy and snowy land? We don't know. What is certain, however, is that Frances, who I have experienced firsthand, knows better than anyone how strange the calm before this last darkness strikes.
A cruel joke of fate
Frances had planned to reach Camp C3 at an altitude of 8,300 meters to replenish oxygen and supplies, and then return to Camp C2 at 7,790 meters. But on the way, due to poor sight, Frances did not find Camp C3 and missed the best time to resupply.
To make matters worse, the radio equipment that Frances was carrying was also damaged at this time. In desperation, she chose to bypass Camp C3 and descend directly to Camp C2. This undoubtedly increases the difficulty and risk of mountaineering. At an altitude of 8,000 meters, due to a prolonged lack of oxygen, Frances suddenly collapsed and fell headlong on the ice-covered cliffs.
We can imagine the despair and helplessness in Frances's heart at this moment. As soon as she stood on top of the world and made a declaration of victory, the cruelty of fate showed her fangs. At this moment, Frances understands that her life is in jeopardy in this desolate "realm of death".
"Maybe I'm really too conceited and reckless. Perhaps this was Frances' last thought before she lost consciousness. She realizes that she has finally lost to this cold and snowy land, and has become the next victim of this ruthless mountain. And her favorite mountain will also become the end of her life. What an ironic plot, isn't it?
At that time, a British mountaineering team happened to pass by the same way. Captain Ian Woodall saw Frances dying, and his heart tightened. He tried to help Frances to her feet, but soon had to give up due to his physical exhaustion and the fact that it was getting late. In this way, Frances was abandoned in this "realm of death".
Her husband was martyred, and Frances became a signpost
Upon returning to base camp, Woodall informed Frances's husband, Sergei, of what had happened. Hearing that his beloved wife was in danger, Sergei suddenly lost his mind, grabbed an oxygen cylinder and rushed up the mountain. His teammates couldn't stop him, so they could only watch him disappear into the vast wind and snow.
Early the next morning, Woodall and the others climbed 8,000 meters above sea again. They found that Frances had no signs of life, and Sergei was frozen in it not far away. The two of them have become the souls of this icy and snowy land.
Frances lies in place, wearing a fuchsia jacket in a striking color, which became a signpost for later climbers. Everyone affectionately calls her "Sleeping Beauty". Over the course of nine years, countless climbers have passed by her to pay the highest respect to this brave female mountaineer.
However, due to the harsh environment, no one could afford to stop, carry the body down the mountain or bury it on the spot. Frances lies alone in the ice and snow, like a statue, witnessing the joys, sorrows and sorrows of the world.
We have to sigh at the tragic color of Frances's life. She did not hesitate to come alone to realize her dream, and eventually lost her life; Her husband regarded her as the whole of his life, and he still did not return her life to death. However, what is even more suffocating is that even after many years of death, Francis's body is still unattended and cannot be buried peacefully.
This seems to tell us that when a person pursues too paranoia and fanaticism, he often ends up with the indifference and oblivion of others. Should we stop at some point and cherish the warmer and more nostalgic parts of life? The answers to these questions will probably be buried forever with Frances.
Complete the last "summit" and sleep on the top of the mountain
Time flies, and nine years pass quickly. In 2007, Woodall organized a commemorative event called "Journey to Everest," which included helping Frances make her last "ascent to the summit" — burying her in situ.
On the day of the event, Woodall and the others found the exact location of Frances's body. A pit was carefully dug and covered with an American flag. Subsequently, Frances's body was gently placed in it.
"This is the highest level of praise given to a brave woman. Woodall sighed. As a sign of grief, they placed bear toys for her two children next to Frances's grave. In this way, Frances was given her final refuge, and she would sleep peacefully on the top of this mountain for all eternity.
epilogue
Frances Asentip's short but storied life came to an end in the snow. But her persistent pursuit of self-breakthrough and the meaning of life will always inspire those who come after her. May this brave female mountaineer be able to peacefully dream of the mountains and ice peaks that she loved most in her life, in the company of her lover.