back then, he was working as a guide under his close friend, the seasoned mountaineer scott fischer.cher was one of those that has never returned. and beadleman said he's never understood why. while many were blamed, there were only words of praise for beadleman, who went up a mountaineer and came down a hero, though he himself doesn't see it that way. neal, you have been widely talked about as really a hero for '96. is that a comfortable description for you? >> no, it's not. i don't -- i mean, it's nice that people to say that. but there were very, very few heroes there. >> reporter: but you acknowledge that but for some of the things up did, a whole lot less people would have lived. >> maybe. i -- you know, i -- i don't really go there. i don't think about it in those terms. and it's -- i mean, i did as much as i could and it took me quite awhile to really appreciate that. >> reporter: for years, he was in high demand to speak about the lessons he'd learned on the mountain. how small decisions can lead to big disasters about weighing risk and consequences. and about the importance