Monday, August 11, 2025

The Summit Dilemma (Part 2 of 2)

Who we choose to be with has profound consequences for our well-being

By Quentin Steen, Representative/BC Member Education Coordinator

The wind howled fiercely across the rocky, snow-covered slopes of the mountain as the final group of climbers stared at the summit just a few thousand feet away. It had been days of grueling effort, aching muscles, and the kind of exhaustion that only extreme conditions could bring. Each step felt like a battle, and the thin air made even the simplest task feel like an insurmountable challenge.

But now, as they stood on a narrow ridge, the decision had become clear. One person had to go.

This was the dilemma the climbers faced in the reality TV series The Summit: What mattered more—logic or emotions?

From a purely logical perspective, Emily should be the one to go. She was the slowest, and her injury was only going to make things worse. The team needed to move swiftly to reach the summit before the weather turned, and slowing down any longer was a risk they could not afford.

But emotions made the decision more complicated. Emily had inspired the team, kept their spirits high when they wanted to give up. She had shared her dreams, her stories, and her laughter when the weight of the journey seemed unbearable. Could they really vote her off the mountain?

On the other hand, Jake’s failure to keep the team together had broken a sacred bond. The entire point of the expedition was not just to reach the summit but to do it together. His actions had caused tension and mistrust. If he couldn’t follow the basic rules that had kept them alive this long, was he still the right person to lead them?

The group sat in silence, staring into the vast wilderness. The mountain was unforgiving, but the emotional weight of their decision was heavier than anything they had faced so far. It was no longer about the climb—it was about the cost of leadership, sacrifice, and trust.

Jake, sensing the tension, finally spoke. “I know I broke the rule,” he said quietly, his voice steady but filled with regret. “But I’ve always had the group’s best interest at heart. I led us this far, and I won’t abandon you now.”

Emily, who had been listening quietly, looked up. “You’re right,” she said softly. “And I’ve held you back. But maybe . . . maybe the group needs someone who can keep going, no matter what.”

The decision was made not just with logic, but with the heart. Jake, despite his mistake, was their leader, and Emily, despite her struggles, was the spirit that bound them together. They couldn’t afford to let either of them go—not without the risk of losing more than just one climber.

As the group prepared for the next ascent, they made a pact. They would continue together, no matter the cost. They knew it wouldn’t be easy, but they also knew that some dilemmas in life weren’t meant to be solved by logic alone—they required something deeper.

And with that, they set their sights on the summit once more, not as individuals, but as a united team.

In your journeys of well-being, choosing who you have on your team is vital and will always involve something deeper. What that looks like is different for all of us.

Choose your tribe wisely.

Quentin Steen is a certified mental health first aid instructor for the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

Get your BRAIN right and your MIND will follow!

3 Mental Health Resources to Help You

If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health issue, CLAC has a number of resources and interactive tools available to help you at My Health and Wellness.
Stronger Minds features videos and quick reads from mental health experts, activities to help you gain resilience, and ask-an-expert videos in response to questions.
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) provides accessible, reliable, and professionally produced resources on an array of health topics including (but not limited to): addictions, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, depression, etc.

The Summit Dilemma (Part 2 of 2)

3 Mental Health Resources to Help You

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