ascent

People familiar with the matter say his ascent to that position without passing a standard FBI background check was unprecedented.

For his exceptionally rapid ascent, Mr. Hoyos credits Scipio’s ready access to funds as well as “self-confidence—not far off arrogance—and impatience with inconvenient convention.”

While that spectacular ascent has some market watchers warning that stocks are due for a a meaningful correction, downturns are part of a healthy bull market.

Goldman Sachs was next, and did not merely let go, but turned and made a big bet against the subprime market—further accelerating the balloon’s fatal ascent.

Hoyos was lucky: as well as surviving the attack and the subsequent ascent, none of his wounds became infected, and the healing process took less time than anyone could have imagined.