The summit

There's something about the mountains, a peaceful stillness in their unforgiving presence.

Whatever it is, I am always lured back for more. A new mountain with new challenges, bigger and deadlier than the last. Perhaps that's what brought me to Everest.

Months of training had prepared me to cope with the icy climate, I planned to survive this climb. Everest has a way of reminding you that the living don't belong here. A trail of bodies guided me up the slopes like a path of death, each body marked a memory and a spot. Even the Sherpas use them as track points.

"Look out for green boots, you can't miss him. He resides at the entrance of the northern cave."

I had passed old green boots yesterday, he limbs sun bleached and distorted. Poor fella's been there for 26 years.

**********

The cold that had felt chilling, but not unpleasant, now started to burrow into my bones. My face and fingers no longer icy, just numb. Like I had become a part of the mountain. Each breath produced clouds of white vapor, each step more painful than the last.

The sky was a peculiar blue, accompanied by a cold white moon. I shivered as the vicious wind bit into my skin. A glance at eight frozen bodies reminded me to keep going.

The body to the left of me was among those from the 1996 disaster. She was propped up against a rock as if merely taking a rest.

Her wind torn face housed hollow eyes that followed me up the slope. Tufts of hair blew gently in the sharp breeze.

I stared for a long time, wondering what her memories were in her final moments. It was strangely hard to imagine them as once living, breathing people.

Then, to my disbelief, she stood. They all did, eight of them. Each frozen body snapped and creaked until standing. Decaying faces rising to the bone white peak, piercing the sky.

Shock dried my mouth as the dead climbers start walking slowly up the slope, fixated on the summit of Mt. Everest.

Rooted to the spot with a racing heart, I checked my oxygen Gage in concern. The dial spun like a carousel, numbers blurred. I switched focus from the dial, back to the climbers.

Zombies are they? They had no interest in me.

Baffled, I watched as they inched up the mountain at a sluggish pace.

In a haze of confusion, I trailed after the climbers towards the summit.

Not a sound was uttered.

The mountain never felt more silent.

Lead Image

A halo formed around the peak of Mt. Everest as the sun started to rise.

I could tell that my oxygen was near empty, each breath felt more labored than the last. Looks like I'll be summiting with thin air.

I was near out of breath as the zombie climbers ploughed on effortlessly in their slow strides..

"I.... I need a rest." They stopped still as my voice echoed over the jagged glaciers.

Terrified, I waited for them to turn on their heels and attack me.

They just stood motionless, staring at the peak.

Some unspoken agreement between us told me they would wait with me while I rested.

********

Hours passed, we ploughed on through the snow, the climbers unaffected by the bitter air, walking faster in anticipation of their goal.

Finally we reached the base of the perilous peak. My lips were tinged blue, skin veiny. I couldn't tell if it was because of the icy air, or the fact that I was struggling to breathe.

The first obstacle at the peak base stood before us as a slippery long ladder.

Curiously, the zombie climbers ignored the ladder and scaled the cliff free hand, hungrily grabbing at cliff holds and ice in a whirl of movement.

We made our way to the peak, boots slipping and sliding as we hurried to the summit. "Hey," I rasp, "slow down." They didn't listen to me this time.

We climbed until there was nothing left but frigid air. The apex of Everest! I stretched my hands up high to touch the universe, drinking in my triumph and greedily devouring the stunning view. Glancing over My shoulder I looked to see if the zombies were as thrilled to finally have reached their goal.

Like statues, they stood there, wistfully staring into the horizon. The somber moment broke as the one with hallow eyes turned to face me, arms outstretched as if giving a hug. One last look over her shoulder at the mountainous view, she stepped back, and disappeared over the side of Everest. Dumbfounded, I watched horrified, as one by one the climbers threw themselves off the peak. My voice felt stuck in my throat, I shakily reached out As the last climber plummeted over the edge.

"No!" My voice croaked. For reasons I could not explain, a lump formed in my throat. For 30 hours we scaled this mountain, now I had never felt more alone.

Warily, I peeked over the edge, expecting to see a pile of broken bodies scattered on the rocks below.

Nothing.

Not a sign of their presence.

Alone, I scaled down the craggy Path feeling solemn but Peaceful. Perhaps those climbers had finally completed their mission to the peak. Maybe now, they can rest.

I could feel the great mountain smiling at me like an old friend. Sun warmed my back and the snow sparkled like a glass of champagne. Letting myself rest, and drink in what Everest has to offer,my eyes traced over hazy mountains and rolling slopes.

I stopped short at the sight of my crumpled body. Mangled on the jutting rock below, a bloody ragdoll stared back.

Author's Note :

A story like nothing you have before

An experienced mountain climber determined to conquer Mt. Everest, is joined by eight undead climbers to the summit where he discovers a devastating truth.