He tried, gave it 100%, and was smart enough to recognize when to quit. Even that close to the end. Hat off.
I have found that as with the thrill of the hunt - as opposed to any pleasure in the kill; it is negotiating a rock face, climbing a mountain, the fight as it were - as opposed to finally reaching the top.
Reaching the top, aside from relief, the view, photos maybe, a break and a measure of satisfaction, is usually somewhat of an anticlimax. And the way down is not nearly as exciting as it was going up.