We've all heard the old adage, "It's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game," at one time or another - most likely at a time when you've just lost.

In fact, we hear it from the Wells brothers each year after they get knocked out of the Team CLIF BAR Foosball Invitational in the first round. But, sometimes it is actually relevant. Take, for instance, Freddie Wilkinson's attempt at climbing a new mixed route up the West Ridge of Nuptse (a mountain in the Khumbu region of the Mahalangur Himal) last month. After days, then weeks, of setbacks along with fellow TCB climber Kevin Mahoney, the team had to finally admit defeat in the hands of mountain. Check out Freddie's first-hand account of the adventure - it's at once a terrific account of a climb, as well as a treatise on common sense, the merits of learning through experience and the realities of what's to be judged a failure or success in the high-risk world of alpine climbing.