Winning the Mind Game on Your Everest Expedition
The final push for the Mount Everest summit starts in total darkness. In the freezing cold of the South Col, your mind is your greatest enemy. Managing the psychology of the 'Death Zone' is what separates finishers from those who turn back.
Don't think about the 8,848m peak. Think about the next ten steps. Breaking the Mount Everest summit push into tiny, manageable goals prevents the brain from being overwhelmed by the scale of the task.
When oxygen is low, negativity creeps in. Every Mount Everest expedition veteran uses mantras to stay focused. Repeating 'breathe, step, breathe' keeps the rhythm and blocks the urge to quit.
A common mistake is only visualizing the Mount Everest summit. You must visualize the return. Knowing you have the mental energy to get back down safely is the key to surviving the world's highest peak.
Your legs get you to Base Camp, but your mind gets you to the Mount Everest summit. Train your brain for the dark hours, and the sunrise will be your reward.
