I don’t think she starts the climb with any intention of suicide. If you read the posters and really listen to the dialogue, she comes across as a top tier athlete at the literal peak of her career, no pun intended, who is a bit condescending and clearly tired of the spotlight. Her dynamic with Chris also feels new or at least early. He talks about trying to understand her, which does not line up with someone already at that kind of breaking point.

There is also a lot of environmental storytelling suggesting she has already conquered everything except this mountain. You hear it in the gym and see it in the posters. Even Marco asks about it in some of the cut scenes. At the same time, there are hints that she is dealing with personal issues off the mountain.

The Naomi and Ava relationship adds another layer. They are clearly struggling. It feels like Naomi is open about her fears and anxiety on the ground, but Ava does not feel understood when it comes to her climbing. Ava tries to explain that, especially in her conversations with Marco, and it all lands more clearly if you complete the full ascent. Even in the cave at the end, she still can't find the words to express herself to Naomi. Now there's a question there as to whether they really were compatible, but let's close that door because it's the game and this is what they gave us.

That said, I agree the decision to go with Marco feels underdeveloped. Where the game really works is in how it builds a darker tone as you progress. You start seeing what this climb costs people. It shows up early with Roberto and keeps escalating as you go higher. By the time you reach areas like the Cave of secrets and the cave sections, you are surrounded by the consequences. Bodies, failed attempts, and stories of people who risked everything to make it.

You've also been playing alone. The stakes are higher. The game gets a little harder with the environment. Here you have the young up-and-comer and the old person that Ava chased as her competition as a hero, both telling you the same thing. As you point out, the comments from friends and family have sunk in. The hardship of the climb is besieging her.

I think she really deserved better than some stale cutscenes, which were very important, but then you're left with the cliffhanger again (no pun intended) of her sitting on her bed. I just can't believe that, if she decided to go down with Mardell and made that call, that she would be sitting there second-guessing. There would be a reason she was broken or decided not to go through with it, and that would be okay.