Everest, Part Deux

As I ranted in the last Everest blog, as is my want as 'Jumblerant', I did actually have a point to make! And it seemed to me that it was a simple one.

So what was I really moaning about last time? The stupidity of people in wanting to climb Everest at any cost. And that cost may not only be their lives, but also their rescuers' lives too.

A good, if not great, book to read on Everest and climbing the heights of the world is 'No Shortcuts To The Top' by Ed Viesturs.

Ed starts explaining his love for climbing, how he started out as a local climber, then local guide and then international expedition member, guide and then leader.

He has opinions on all matters Everest and is not afraid to share them. The main quote that sticks in my mind is a basic one;

"Reaching the summit is optional. Getting down is mandatory"

This to me sums up all that is wrong with paid hikers, as opposed to experienced climbers, going up Everest. Repeatedly on the Everest based TV shows climbers gravitate to the peak of the world forgetting that they have to get back to shelter if they are going to live to tell the tale.

Turning away from the peak 250 meters is an option because it means you live to try another day but many amateurs forget this, and as expedition companies sell more spaces depending on how many people reached the summit the year before, they are always ready to give in and risk numerous lives.

Sending a 13 year old up into the Death Zone may not be the cleverest thing a parent may do but adults also get all discombobulated by the peak of Everest looming over them;

Bonita Norris and her long ordeal in Everest's dead zone

Fellow climbers tell how the youngest British woman to scale summit was rescued frostbitten, semi-conscious and close to death

She was very lucky indeed. Many, if not most of those afflicted with anything life threatening over 28,000 are left to die a slow and painful death because at that height you cannot have a pal sit next to you and cheer you on as they themselves need to get back to where they can breath air not from a bottle.

They need to get down to a warm drink and a place to relax because most people coming down from the peak have been awake for close to 24 hours.

Don't take my word for it, listen to Dr. Kenneth Kamler who was a part of the 1996 disaster on Everest:



Let's be careful out there...


kthanxbai!

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