The Altars Of God Poem by Saiom Shriver

Climbing Mt Everest one can expect
hidden crevasses, avalanches, slippery ice at lower levels.
a sheet of ice a mile long not far from the summit,
sometimes minus 40 degree temperatures, high winds,
snow blindness, digit and ear destroying frostbite,
snow paste freezing to ones face, in some cases each
step landing one up to his or her knees.

based on Jeffrey Archer's description of George Mallory's Everest climbs.

Sherpas of Tibet, India, and Nepal climb snowy mountains in their bare feet with
81 lb. backpacks.