Harvey, that quote is hilarious.
Laura, great question as always. The answer is group dynamics, separation and degrees of danger.
I was hiking with two others and I recomended that we bivy at one of two fairly sheltered places that were maybe 400-500 vertical feet below the summit but I got outvoted. Once we were up there, we separated into three separate windbreaks. Nobody else could hear me puking. As miserable as I was, it wasn't so bad that I felt the need to wake the others at 3 in the morning to go down to where I had hoped to sleep in the first place. There was also probably an element of diminished mental capacity--exhaustion and sickness don't make for great critical thinking skills.
And by the way, that picture and the shelter. Wow.
Sounds like your partners were looking out for themselves, but not the other members of the team. Found yourself some quality guys there, Brent.
And "it wasn't so bad", huh?? Puking and wretching isn't so bad? Next time I push myself so hard that I start choking back my own meals, I'll remind myself to harden up!
Just a different perspective, Brent. Sorry if I sound harsh.
