Tears in the Wind: Triumph and Tragedy on America’s Highest Peak

Like many seeking to learn the ropes of mountaineering, Semento took up climbing with Rainier Mountaining Inc (RMI). He joined with Phil Ershler on climbs of Rainier (1994) and Ixtaccihuatl and Orizaba (1996) before turning his attention to Denali. In 1998 he was a member of the RMI expedition, led by Ershler and assistant guide Chris Hooyman, to climb Denali’s West Buttress route. Following a successful ascent the team of five was held up in high camp for a couple of days by high winds. When the weather cleared they began their descent on a single rope. At 17,100’ Semento slipped but was held by Ershler. While still developing a course of action Hooyman unclipped from the rope to assist Semento, slipped, and fell 1100’ to the Peters Glacier. An important book to help understand a guided expedition, Denali, and how quickly things can change.