Ed and George are given a chance at Everest. Ed meets Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, and finally feels he has met a climbing partner who is as driven as he is.
After an emergency in the mountains, Ed must reconsider his priorities. He and Louise devote their time to building schools in Nepal. When tragedy strikes, Ed's life falls apart.
Ed is stuck in Antarctica for months on end, missing home and staving off boredom. As Ed's supply bases get closer to the South Pole, he decides he wants to make it there himself.