I personally am very much in favour of cutting the climbing scene. Even if it does somewhat set up the Kirk facing death dynamic, him talking simply saying “I’ve always known I’ll die alone” (as the preceding dialogue about the fall will have to be cut) at the camp fire is a sufficient - and far less annoying - introduction to the idea.

The opening with Sybok however I think should stay. I’ve always loved that scene, just the way it’s shot, its atmosphere, and particularly how it ends with the reveal of a laughing vulcan - which for any seasoned trekker is a enough to raise an inquisitive eye brow or two and capture or attention.