Kami Rita Sherpa has been to the summit of Everest more times than anyone else. He knows all there is to know about the mountain’s highs (pardon the pun) and lows.

And in talking about the risk of avalanche, he has this to say:

“If in doubt, descent is always the best decision, because Everest will always be there if you survive.”

Good advice that. And not just for Everest.