How were Peak's meals and gear viewed by the other climbers?

• A. They claimed everything Peak ate, drank, and wore was probably paid for by them.
• B. They believed Peak paid for his own supplies.
• C. They thought Peak borrowed equipment from them.
• D. They ignored Peak.

Answer: (C)

On a climbing expedition, what people have and who supplies it often becomes part of the social dynamic. In this moment, the other climbers read Peak’s meals and gear as something he didn’t fully provide himself but borrowed from them. That impression—that he relied on others’ equipment and supplies rather than paying his own way—highlights a tension about independence and trust among climbers. It signals how status, sponsorship, or perceived reliance can shape how someone is treated on the mountain.