Another cliched "well at least they died doing what they loved" story. But this time, IMO, we had one person, Tom Ballard, who was by all accounts, phenomenally exceptional at what he loved doing, SOLO, unfortunately crossing paths with another climber, Daniele Nardi, who was, lets say, more of a "B List" wannabe, who had FAILED several times trying to climb what up to then had been unclimbable route, even by the guy after whom the route was named. He had become obsessed (others words, not just mine) with conquering the route so he could make a name for himself and get the accolades and recognition he felt he wasn't getting from other climbers and the press. He glommed onto Tom, and talked him into attempting the unclimbed route in the middle of a winter that had seen record snowfall. He stayed, even when the porter and guides all said "we out bro" because they realized how sketchy it was. Nardi even chided one of the guides as they were going down, "what, are you scared?", to which the guide replied, no, but the mountain will still be here, and, I will still be alive to climb another day". Prescient words indeed.

Obsession can indeed be contagious, especially between those of like minds and passions. I think at least part of Nardi's obsession with the unconquered route, may have been passed on to Tom, which clouded his judgement, causing him to ignore all the warning signs and red flags he would have normally seen, thus leading to the untimely end of both of their lives.

Hindsight is always 20/20, and, circumstances seen in hindsight are much clearer than they were in reality. In the end, a Mother, her son, and another, are now one with the mountains they wished to conquer.