The Inexcusable Travesty of Mt. Everest
brianlux
Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,297
Twenty two years after the publication of John Krakauer's Into Thin Air, the telling of the several death on Mt. Everest due, at least in part, to overcrowding on the mountain, Everest is still plagued by lines of Disneyland like tourism. This is a travesty! The death toll on Everest this month so far is now 10.
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-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
"Try to not spook the horse."
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Too many are leaving too late for the final push to the top.
Too many are taking too long to get up there because of the overcrowding .
Too many taking too much time at the top.
Too many not able to get down fast enough because of the overcrowding.
Just remember no one is forced to be there. Not even the Sherpas of which I think only one has died this year.
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
However, what is currently happening on Everest is a conflagration of multiple things. Kind of like a perfect storm...
Too many permits issued by both China and Nepal.
Too small a window of good weather in which to make summit attempts.
Too many "high-altitude " tourists.
Too many expidition companies trying to make all their money in one short season
Etc etc
Please keep in mind that this is not necessarily an annual or daily occurrence. Two days before the viral images of the high altitude traffic jam of more than 200 climbers trying to summit was taken, 14 climbers summited.
This is also not a new thing. During the 2012 climbing season on May 19, 2012 247 climbers summited in one day. Don't think anyone died that day.
Make Nepal great again!
This is an example of greed and ignorance...sad for those left behind.
They are often referred to as "high-altitude tourists"
I for one would love to make an attempt on Everest.
I have mountaineering experience, I do well at high altitude, I understand the ins and outs, rights and wrongs of mountaineering. But have yet to do anything close to an 8,000er (mountain above 25,000 ft above sea level). I don't have enough experience to make such an attempt without risking my life and that of others on the mountain. Wish others did the same.
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
I know this is a discussion board, but I find it frustrating sometimes when we talk about things that should happen with full knowledge of the fact that they won’t without a significant catalyst for change. How do we channel this great dialogue and make it into tangible change? That’s the question that ultimately I wish more of us were focused on. We debate the topics, and agree or disagree, we come to a point where we need to mobilize - and are not seemingly able to do that in this modern world. That reality needs to shift if we’re to keep this planet that we really don’t deserve. From my perspective, I truly don’t care anymore. I will do my best within my means for the planet, with the acceptance that the world will likely be returned to better species than ours - I just hope we don’t do them the irreparable harm we’ve done to each other or Earth.
EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
One issue is the people. Another issue is everyone is dead-set focus on reaching the top. Main issue is mother nature. People know there is danger and death lurking, but from my experience you never actually believe it is yourself that will end up as a casualty. Always some other poor schmoe ... usually takes a close call to slap some sense into you.
I've never aspired to climb as I've tried it and don't experience any rush or thrill from it. I have an immense respect for gravity. But I've gone through a hard-core backpacking phase and I know the mentality of pushing and pushing until sometimes you are in a pickle that your not prepared for. Sometimes success is realizing when to retreat.
That looks really dangerous. Im guessing that time is of the essence with these things and that line has to both slow people down and make them rush.