1. Dorje stirs something within Beth that is missing in her relationship with Eric. What needs from her childhood does she seek to fulfill with him?

2. What sets Dorje apart from other Sherpas? How did his first experience with tourists determine his course?

3. Why does he want to summit Everest when other Sherpas work only for money?

4. Discuss how Beth represents a world Dorje yearns for.

5. What cultural obstacles must they overcome?

6. What universal family relationships exist in the book?

7. The plot is conflict driven. Discuss the various conflicts and resolutions

8. The relationship between Dorje and his father Mingma is quite complex. What creates the chasm between them and how does it change?

9. What is Mingma’s secret and how does it shape his life?

10. What elements of Sherpa culture and religion were new to you?

11. Is the Everest region the way you imagined it?

12. What role does religion play in the Sherpa culture? Buddhism, shamanism, animism.

13. The landing strip at Lukla opened the flood gates of tourism. What role have tourism and expeditions played in the lives of the Sherpas? What are the positive and negative outcomes? What is the greatest challenge they face today?

14. What is the basis for hostility between old trading partners—Mingma and Pemba?

15. How does Beth's attitude toward porters change as the story progresses? What does she learn and what does she want for them?

16. How well do western medicine and shamans coexist and what can they learn from each other?

17. What do the Norwegian tourists represent and how does Dorje's relationship with them change?

18. What drives Marty’s determination to reach the summit?

19. What are the major perils in climbing?

20. What role do the Sherpas play?

21. In chapter one, a woman tells Beth, that Buddha says until we can accept life as it is and exist in the present moment, we will never be satisfied. We must accept whatever comes along as part of a divine and perfect universe. Do Dorje, Beth, and Mingma adhere to this philosophy?

22. Will Beth go back to Eric?

23. Discuss Dorje’s relationship with his brother Nima. How do their world views differ?