Frank Dankerman

chapter two. Because there is no chapter one.

Frank Dankerman is an inspiration to me. he was introduced to my father some years ago through a work colleague who, like the great man himself, was a keen climber. I myself first met Frank when I was a child; immediately he left a lasting impression on upon my young mind. He was a tall man- well over six feet tall- but was burdened by a predominant limp in his left leg. He also had a withered left arm (both impediments were, I came to learn, a result of an accident with a flaming hat stand as a child). Nevertheless, Frank never let his physical disabilities disable his ambitions, and he has gone on to achieve more than most able bodied people can only dream of; this is why he is such an inspiration to me.

At age seventeen, Frank discovered that he was naturally talented at climbing when on a day out with his family. Since that day, Frank has been able to fly as if with wings to the top of any mountain that was bold enough to present itself before him. By the age of thirty, Frank had conquered many peeks: Ben Nevis, Kilimanjaro and Snowdon to name a few, but he had one target for himself; he wanted to climb to the top of mount Everest. Alone. Most people thought he was joking, even with his experience, but Frank, no stranger to adversity, simply ignored the snide remarks and focused on the challenge he had set himself:

Frank Dankerman wanted to be the highest man in the world.

However; even Frank realised that he would feel the isolation on his epic journey, and knew that loneliness could prove fatal to a weary adventurer. For this reason, Frank decided to take a companion. But not an experienced climber, nor even an old friend. Frank, always drawn to those classed by society as disadvantaged, chose a much more unusual companion.