When the world came to an end, I was 14,000 feet above sea level and on my way down the mountain after having ascended the summit of Mt. McKinley. It wasn't the first time I had done so, and it was the latest step towards the completion of a lifelong goal, which was to climb Mt. Everest some day, physical health and financial resources willing. Since it costs about thirty grand to mount Everest, I was a ways away from realizing that particular ambition, but everyone has to start somewhere and after climbing numerous smaller mountains as part of my training, I had since moved on to ascend the top of the tallest one in North America. It was also the coldest, which was equally good training for Everest.