Sun-jo is a "natural" in front of the camera while Peak is not. (This film is SUPPOSED to be about Peak after all).

Sun-jo is a much better climber than Peak and is moving up Everest with ease compared to Peak.

Sun-jo is more loved by Zopa than Peak is loved by his own father. Peak covets the love Sun-jo gets from a "father figure" like Zopa.

Peak was never jealous of Sun-jo.

Wise, mysterious, and well-respected

Joyful, excitable, and fun-loving

Downcast, moody, and quiet

Prideful, intelligent, and cold

A monk and Sherpa who was asked by Josh (a family friend) to accompany Peak on the climbing journey

A monk and Sherpa who volunteered to accompany Peak on the climbing journey

A monk and Sherpa who was forced to accompany Peak on the climbing journey

A hired Sherpa guide who is being paid to accompany Peak on the climbing journey

to acclimatize Peak

to acclimatize Sun-jo

It's the only way to travel to Base Camp

Zopa secretly dislikes Peak and his morals

to relieve his company's debt and attention to his business

ONLY to save Peak from the clutches of the law

He wants to re-connect with his son he hadn't seen in years

He is being forced to bring Peak along with him as imposed by the NY courts

Peak must decide whether to achieve his goal of reaching the summit even though his father is using him

Peak must decide if he wants to reconnect with his dad since his dad wants to bond with him

Peak must choose between a life of crime or begin a new life with his dad

Peak must decide whether he wants all the fame, which he will receive if he accompanies his dad

A reporter who covered stories about Peak's parents, Peak's Woolworth attempt, and now an exclusive interview with Peak himself on Everest

A reporter who was unfamiliar with Peak and his backstory, and who needs an one-on-one interview with Peak on Everest

A reporter who is very familiar with Josh; in fact, they had a dating relationship at one point.

A news reporter who covered back stories about Peak and his family, and who has been asked to accompany Peak on his journey up Everest for an exclusive interview.

She wants an exclusive interview and has threatened to blackmail Josh by leaking their summit attempt if he refuses her request.

She wants an exclusive interview with Peak, and they are both happy to have her on the journey.

She wants a one-on-one interview with Peak, but she will probably not want to travel much further than Camp 1 or 2.

She wants to gather information about Peak to convince the citizens of New York that he is simply misunderstood; Peak's not a criminal.

Character vs. Character: Josh is a lousy model of a father that Peak must cope with.

Character vs. Self: Peak is becoming disinterested in climbing and must decide if he should summit Everest.

Character vs. Character: Holly is trying to sabotage Peak's journey to Everest by leaking the story of their secret ascent.

Character vs. Society: Peak must overcome his negative reputation by acting like a morally upright kid.

There are forces of nature outside of Peak's ability to control (no matter how skilled he is)

Zopa is confused and reluctant to predict the weather patterns of the mountain

Zopa is trying to teach Peak that Peak must overcome his fears in order to achieve his goals

The mountain is cruel and kind at the same time: cruel to lawbreakers and kind to law followers.