Two articles on Mount Everest (Edit: NOT literally)

[BloodFetish]

There's something about the dichotomy between the ultimate in human achievement and the stark realites of life and death above 8000 meters that I find fascinating.

Some estimates put the death toll as high as one climber for every ten who reach the summit, with many of the fallen within sight of established summit routes. Their bodies often remain in place years due to the overwhelming effort it takes above 8000 meters to accomplish even simple physical tasks (and a cynic would also mention climbing Everest is very expensive and only open to a comparitive few per year, making side trips to remove fallen climbers a waste of resources needed for the summit and the glory).

Which is why I find this article so intriguing. I hadn't heard of his story before today, and the article is dated August 2009, but Ian Woodall - you, sir, are a hero.

http://entertainment.timesonline.co....cle6735969.ece

And a second article about Sherpa's organizing a "spring cleanup" this year...

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle1539951/

[Kybosh]

Like you said, the difficulty in maintaining environmental integrity while still allowing people to climb the mountain is paramount. Most accounts I have heard describe Everest base camp (and much of the mountain above) as a sh*thole that is full of discarded oxygen tanks, human waste and garbage.

Climbing Everest is also a rich mans game, in that hiring a guide team will currently run you upwards of $60,000 per person with obviously no guarantees of summiting.

There are also a score of other peaks that are just begging to be climbed in Nepal. I think, if I were to make a trek there I would aim for one of the smaller/cheaper mountains.

[frinkprof]

EDIT: Post made when thread title was: "Two articles on Mount Everest"

Mount Everest is an inconvenient place to put articles. Not many people are going to be able to read them.

[BloodFetish]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

Mount Everest is an inconvenient place to put articles. Not many people are going to be able to read them.

My friend, if I was wearing underpants you'd owe me a new pair.

Title edited...

[frinkprof]

^Noooo. Now my joke will make no sense.

[BloodFetish]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

^Noooo. Now my joke will make no sense.

*sigh*

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by BloodFetish

Some estimates put the death toll as high as one climber for every ten who reach the summit, with many of the fallen within sight of established summit routes. Their bodies often remain in place years due to the overwhelming effort it takes above 8000 meters to accomplish even simple physical tasks /

Most deaths on Everest occur on the descent, I believe, instead of attempting to get higher.

After expending everything to get to the top, the urge to simply sit down and rest . . . . . and stay there is almost overwhelming. The "Death Zone" is the wrong place to rest.

The most important lesson to learn is that summitting is only half way.

http://climb.mountainzone.com/2006/d...arp/index.html

The controversial David Sharp death on Everest highlights the objections many have to the moneyed elite surging all over the mountain.

http://climb.mountainzone.com/2006/d...arp/index.html

Cowperson

[frinkprof]

With George Mallory, wasn't there speculation that he actually died on the descent, an thus was the actual first person to reach the summit?

[BloodFetish]

^^^Yes there was. Impossible to prove, and usually the victors (or in this case, the survivors) write the history.

[Cowperson]

A Canadian plans to climb Mt. Everest in a windbreaker . . . . . a very, very high tech windbreaker.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36934946...consumer_news/

Cowperson

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Cowperson

A Canadian plans to climb Mt. Everest in a windbreaker . . . . . a very, very high tech windbreaker.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36934946...consumer_news/

Cowperson

I'm pretty sure they had this guy on X92.9 this morning live from basecamp. It will be his second summit of Everest if he makes it.

[Flashpoint]

I've done a fair bit of reading on Mallory and Irvine since they found Mallory's body in 99. Most agree he was very unlikely to have reached the summit, and probably turned back before the second step.

Oh - and that second step begs notice - most climbers wouldn't be able to manage it. Which is why there is now a ladder there (I believe the Chinese brought the first one in the 60's). So when Richy Rich tells you he "summited Everest", be sure to ask how he felt about the ladder during his day-hike.

[troutman]

IMO, it is selfish for anyone with dependants to participate in high risk sports.


http://outside.away.com/peaks/features/transcript.html

How do climbers square the risk with the reward when embarking on these expeditions?

In fact, statistically the risk is closer to one in 33 [risk of dying]. And I don't square the risk. I mean, climbing is an irrational act. It makes no sense. It defies logic. It's something I'm compelled to do. I'm not sure why. I'm at a loss to explain it in any way that makes any sense.

I've written two books--Eiger Dreams and Into the Wild--that deal with this question of risk and why people do it. And I'm sure I've failed to explain it in both those books. I've devoted many months, years, in those books to try to explain this question and I haven't succeeded. I don't think I ever will. [Jon Krakauer]

[Flashpoint]

Even Sir Edmund Hillary spoke out. "The whole attitude to ward climbing Mount Everest has become rather horrifying," he told the press. 'A human life is far more important than just getting to the top of a mountain."

Link