Mount Everest

[bubbletea123]

Anyone else been following the news about Mount Everest? 11 people have died in the past week because of "traffic jams" at the summit. The photos coming out look terrifying. I was reading that to read the summit it takes 8 weeks. I think they need to cap the number of people climbing but I am sure that they won't because it is a tourist trap. It is really sad as tourists should never be doing that, only professional climbers.

Veteran mountain climber details crowded conditions, "constant exposure to danger" on Mount Everest

Jim Davidson spoke with "CBS This Morning" about the dangers on Mount Everest and why this year has been so deadly

www.cbsnews.com

 

[String Man]

There's nothing 'heroic' about queuing up for the summit as if it's a ride at Alton Towers. Hardly a major achievement if that many people are already right in front of you.

I've seen smaller queues at the bar in a Wetherspoons on New Years Eve

As has been said, my heart goes out to the Sherpas who risk their lives for a bunch of rich tourists. They should bring in a law that states if the Sherpa advises it's too risky then the tourist has to go ahead without them if they disregard that advice.

 

[Meg1912]

I just looked up #everestsummit on Ig, recent posts and shocker, out of the dozens I saw, not a single one acknowledged/thanked the Sherpa that assisted them. So disgusting that they consider the person who kept them alive completely irrelevant. It actually makes me sick!
The traffic jam is INSANE. Call me heartless, but I can't say I worry about these scumbags tbh.

 

[Meg1912]

Yes!! It's truly shocking!! When I saw the photos, I honestly couldn't believe what I was seeing! This is such a great article https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/the-cost-of-glory-climbing-mount-everest/
I honestly don't understand why people with no experience at all would do such a thing. For between 20,000 - 40,000 USD Travel agencies will provide a Sherpa who will do absolutely everything they can to make the climber's life easier, but what if the weather suddenly changes and for some reason they get separared? It's honestly no surprise that people are dying up there. And tbh I think it's only going to get worse. Like the article so rightly mentioned, we hardly ever hear from people who successfully climb Everest for the right reasons, as they don't do it so they can boast about it.
In this article, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/26/world/asia/mount-everest-deaths.html a climber who was there this year said how it looked like a zoo as people were pushing and shoving others to take selfies and how he even had to step around the body of a woman who had just died. Are people crazy? Is it really worth dying for it? Or do they just not think it could happen to them? So many questions!

 

[bubbletea123]

I just watched this documentary about it The woman was Canadian and had zero experience climbing, the sherpas said it was too dangerous for her and she would die but she still wanted to do it. She reached the summit but died coming back down.

 

[Jelly Bean]

There's nothing 'heroic' about queuing up for the summit as if it's a ride at Alton Towers. Hardly a major achievement if that many people are already right in front of you.

I've seen smaller queues at the bar in a Wetherspoons on New Years Eve

As has been said, my heart goes out to the Sherpas who risk their lives for a bunch of rich tourists. They should bring in a law that states if the Sherpa advises it's too risky then the tourist has to go ahead without them if they disregard that advice.

Yes or pay a large upfront fee to cover at least a year of the Sherpa's wages. Just something to make them stop and think. Madness.

 

[Meg1912]

Spencer’s Matthews from made in Chelsea’s dad has either written or writing a book. Spencer’s brother disappeared off the face of Everest and they’ve never found out what happened to him I don’t think.

I’m shocked to see those queues I always thought there was only a tiny amount of people allowed each year and that you had to be a proper climber etc. I can remember the movie about Everest a few years ago too. God knows why people still risk it.

I had no idea! [emoji33] I just watched this documentary and after summiting and starting to descend, he was completely abandoned by the guide that was with him. He was only 22!! There were huge problems with the expedition company from the start, including terrible organisation and the oxygen bottles had been altered and weren't functioning properly. The Matthews being such billionaires, really don't understand how they didn't make sure it was the end of the expedition company.

 

[Meg1912]

The government won't stop and are exploiting it because of all the money made. It is terribly sad about the sherpas. They are a group of indigenous people that live near the mountain. They don't have a lot of work options so they take that job. A few years ago there was a huge avalanche and a number of them were killed, leaving family behind. The climbers take advantage of the sherpas by making them carry things like picnic tables etc up the mountain. It is absolutely disgusting.

It really is vile how they're being exploited and so heartbreaking https://www.npr.org/sections/parall...st-deaths-are-sherpa-climbers?t=1559171459320
One third of Everest deaths are Sherpas. A 19 year old working his second season advised the climber he was accompanying to give up and go back, to which he obviously said no. The weather got worse, they ended up unconscious and he had to have both hands amputated.
I honestly can't look up to anyone who has climbed Everest as they're doing it not giving two f***s as to whether that will cost someone else's life. It's times like these that make me feel ashamed of what has become of us.
But hey ho, all worth it in the end for a f***ing selfie.

 

[bubbletea123]

I just looked up #everestsummit on Ig, recent posts and shocker, out of the dozens I saw, not a single one acknowledged/thanked the Sherpa that assisted them. So disgusting that they consider the person who kept them alive completely irrelevant. It actually makes me sick!
The traffic jam is INSANE. Call me heartless, but I can't say I worry about these scumbags tbh.

I was looking at the hash tag last night. After reading about the sherpas, I actually wonder how many of them are stuck in that jam... Probably a lot.

I saw there is a book called Into Thin Air about Everest. I think I will read it.

 

[Karlywert]

Everest climbers are fascinating to me not in a good way though. I Climb a few large hills and the odd smaller mountain in the lakes and yes it is addictive each time wanting to get higher and higher. But why anyone would risk life to do so is unthinkable. If you cannot breathe in a certain place on Earth then clearly we are not born to be there? K2 is another harder than Everest yet people still climb. The Sherpa's is a heartbreaking story they literally have not much else to do for work so they follow in the footsteps of others. There is no answer to this year's disasters up there, those images are awful.
The government needs to charge more much more for permits in the hope maybe only the best climbers go up yet even then dangers are still extremely high. They won't though because they need the money and are scared of losing it. It is just so sad that society allows this to happen. And yes for many just to get that personal satisfaction and selphy!

 

[bubbletea123]

Yes, she spent $40,000. It sounds awful but she seemed like a narcissist who didn't care about others.

Most people need oxygen at the summit, you won't survive without it. The government charge $11,000 just for a permit. I can't believe that many people are throwing the money away.

 

[bubbletea123]

So I am reading Into Thin Air right now as my library didn't have the other book available. I have to say I am really enjoying it. I am almost 80% finished. I know that it caused some controversy but I don't feel that he said anything "offensive." He questions why one of the leaders descended the mountain leaving his clients and some found that offensive but unless you read into it online, there is nothing bad that stands out in the book itself. Actually a really interesting read.

 

[Mayday]

I heard about this, the picture of the queues is insane! There's a lot of people having to step over dead bodies etc as well.

I think its a combination of them giving out too many permits, and also the fact there's such a short period where the weather is good as well. Most people apparently need oxygen masks and such because the oxygen is lacking up there, and if you're also not prepared physically then thats not great either.

 

[bubbletea123]

It really is vile how they're being exploited and so heartbreaking https://www.npr.org/sections/parall...st-deaths-are-sherpa-climbers?t=1559171459320
One third of Everest deaths are Sherpas. A 19 year old working his second season advised the climber he was accompanying to give up and go back, to which he obviously said no. The weather got worse, they ended up unconscious and he had to have both hands amputated.
I honestly can't look up to anyone who has climbed Everest as they're doing it not giving two f***s as to whether that will cost someone else's life. It's times like these that make me feel ashamed of what has become of us.

I didn't know much about Everest at all until I started looking into it yesterday. The sherpas also have to go up the the "death zone" and retrieve bodies. Honestly, the climbers are terribly selfish.

 

[Meg1912]

So I am reading Into Thin Air right now as my library didn't have the other book available. I have to say I am really enjoying it. I am almost 80% finished. I know that it caused some controversy but I don't feel that he said anything "offensive." He questions why one of the leaders descended the mountain leaving his clients and some found that offensive but unless you read into it online, there is nothing bad that stands out in the book itself. Actually a really interesting read.

That's good to know! Thanks! Yeah, since you started this thread, I've been seeing lots of documentaries and looking into people who have climbed ME and I have to say, I now feel slightly different in terms of understanding and admiring some people who have done it.
There's doing it for your ego and there's doing it for the right reasons, such as honoring people who passed away trying to achieve that dream, to raise awareness and money for charities, etc.
Garret Madison founded a company called Madison Mountaneering and he's done incredible work. His no. 1 concern is safety and if that means giving up on summiting, so be it. His team always fixes the lines up to the summit (as well as on K2) so that all teams have a safe climb. He arranges clean ups in which they bring down tonnes of trash and he looks after the Sherpas.
Elia Saikaly is such a brilliant filmographer/photographer who has worked incredibly hard to tell the stories of those who climb ME, including this year's all female Arab team. https://www.outdoorjournal.com/featured/expedition/dreams-come-true-everest-arab-women/
Also, Melissa Reid, whose videos on Everest I loved watching on Youtube. She created The Juniper Fund, which supports Sherpas, their families and communities. Brilliant work.
Also, I suggest looking up K2. Lots of videos on it.

 

[Meg1912]

I didn't know much about Everest at all until I started looking into it yesterday. The sherpas also have to go up the the "death zone" and retrieve bodies. Honestly, the climbers are terribly selfish.

So so selfish. I hate The Daily Mail, but this headline really sums it up to a T and the article is actually really good. https://www.archive.is/oldest/https...mpassion-sacrificed-personal-achievement.html
So glad to hear not all of the climbers are heartless, some have actually given up so they could help others who were injured. One even carried an injured climber on his back for 9h, which cost him a few fingers. Although surely these heroes are a tiny drop in the ocean.

 

[Meg1912]

I was looking at the hash tag last night. After reading about the sherpas, I actually wonder how many of them are stuck in that jam... Probably a lot.

I saw there is a book called Into Thin Air about Everest. I think I will read it.

Probably. [emoji22][emoji22]
Hmmm, looked into it and don't think I will. He seems vile.

 

[bubbletea123]

Probably. [emoji22][emoji22]
Hmmm, looked into it and don't think I will. He seems vile.

Hmmm, maybe not. I wonder are there any other good books.

 

[Meg1912]

Hmmm, maybe not. I wonder are there any other good books.

Looking into it as we speak!

 

[Meg1912]

Amazing. I am going to see if my library has it on ebook!

Yeah, it seems incredible! We can discuss it afterwards! [emoji2]