Describe the third step.

• A. It was the easiest for Peak; at the top they saw another corpse that looked fresh.
• B. It involved a long scramble down to a lower ledge.
• C. It required a rapid pace across a narrow ridge.
• D. It was the easiest for Peak; when they got to the top, they saw another corpse; it looked fresh.

Answer: (D)

Understanding how the steps unfold during Peak's climb. The third step is described as the easiest for Peak, and when they reach the top they see another corpse that looks fresh. This pairing of a smoother, more confident ascent with the surprising, new danger at the summit fits a natural progression in the ascent: after earlier tougher moves, Peak’s pace eases, and the moment at the top is charged by the sight of a recently fallen climber. The detail that the corpse looks fresh signals a recent tragedy, heightening the stakes of the climb. Other possibilities would describe a descent or a hazardous ridge maneuver, which don’t match the idea of an easy up-and-top moment paired with a fresh corpse.