What news did Zopa reveal to Peak, and why did they trick him?

• A. They would be Team C; Peak would be sent home to stop harassment, and he would ascend from another direction.
• B. They would be Team A; Peak would stay with the main group and climb via the usual route.
• C. They planned to abandon Peak and retreat to base camp.
• D. They would switch roles so Peak would lead the climb.

Answer: (A)

The situation tests how deception can be used to protect someone and manage group dynamics during a high-stakes climb. The news is that Peak would be assigned to Team C, effectively sent home to stop the harassment, and he would ascend from a different direction. This plan uses misdirection to shield him: by moving him away from the main group and using a separate ascent path, the immediate pressure or harassment he faces is reduced, while still keeping him involved in a way that doesn’t disrupt the overall climb.

Why this fits best is that it combines safeguarding Peak with a believable shift in plans—enough to achieve safety without making the group’s effort crumble. The other options don’t involve this protective misdirection: staying with the main group or climbing by the usual route wouldn’t lessen the harassment, abandoning Peak isn’t a tactical or protective move, and switching roles to lead doesn’t address the need to reduce pressure from others.