The Inexcusable Travesty of Mt. Everest

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  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 40,596
    PJ_Soul said:
    I don't even like hiking, let alone climbing. A nice walk is pleasant. :lol: And I like to paddle places if the opportunity presents itself. I have done many very challenging hikes in my day, despite never enjoying it... Now I avoid it altogether, because I finally learned my lesson, lol.
    Meanwhile, my dad was a very accomplished mountaineer in his day. He climbed both the Eiger and the Matterhorn, among many others. He actually got trapped in a terrible blizzard on the face of the Matterhorn, and had to just huddle on a little ledge for 3 days. He did get frost bite on his face, which turned his entire eyebrow white for life, and he actually thought he was going to die up there while trapped, but after the storm ended, he kept climbing and reached the peak. Pretty amazing. Of course Mount Everest is far, far higher. My dad never had to worry about not being about to breathe.
    Wow- Eiger and Matterhorn!   Exceptional!  Great story!

    You might really enjoy Jon Krakauer's book Eiger Dreams.  I thought it was at least as good of Into Thin Air or Into the Wild.  You can go their in your mind and not have to hike, lol!

    I was almost paralyzed from the waste down hitting a rock in a rapids on a river.  The doc told me I missed being paralyzed by by a few centimeters.  Another time, on another river, my canoe dumped me and my foot got caught in a sieve in rapid water.  I made one last desperate pull and managed to escape.  That's the last time I got on the water.  So you do the paddling, I'll do the hiking, haha!
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • RenfieldRenfield NYC NY Posts: 1,054
    @brianluxHi Brian! Pre climb check-in, crampons on, ready to climb... I tried finding either book in local independent bookstores to no avail, so I finally went to The Strand. Easy decision, Annapurna was not in stock.
  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 40,596
    Renfield said:
    @brianluxHi Brian! Pre climb check-in, crampons on, ready to climb... I tried finding either book in local independent bookstores to no avail, so I finally went to The Strand. Easy decision, Annapurna was not in stock.
    Good choice!  Viesturs' stories are fascinating.  Would love to hear what you think once you've read it!
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • HorosHoros Posts: 4,518
    John Oliver had this as his main topic this week.
    #FHP
  • RenfieldRenfield NYC NY Posts: 1,054
    edited June 2019
    Horos said:
    John Oliver had this as his main topic this week.
    Thanks! Going to watch it now 

    https://slate.com/culture/2019/06/john-oliver-mount-everest-last-week-tonight.html
    p.s. love the faux photo shoot 

    https://thetopofmounteverest.com/#home
    Post edited by Renfield on
  • vaggar99vaggar99 San Diego USA Posts: 3,425
    The climbing season is now over.  So let's hope Nepal develops better regulations and issues fewer permits...
    let's also hope that no child goes hungry tonite.  not going to happen.
  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 40,596
    vaggar99 said:
    The climbing season is now over.  So let's hope Nepal develops better regulations and issues fewer permits...
    let's also hope that no child goes hungry tonite.  not going to happen.
    True, and the sherpas and porters in the more remote, less traveled areas even more so- way more so.  Steve Swenson talks a lot about that in this book and he's a great advocate for helping the poorest of the poor.  And considering the horrid politics that go on between India and Pakistan, that's a very difficult task. 


    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • HorosHoros Posts: 4,518

    #FHP
  • RenfieldRenfield NYC NY Posts: 1,054
    Horos said:


    @Horos   We must have just missed each other🤣
  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 40,596
    Renfield said:
    Horos said:


    @Horos   We must have just missed each other🤣
    Awww, matching outfits.  How cute!
    :lol:
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • gimmesometruth27gimmesometruth27 St. Fuckin Louis Posts: 22,130

    There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.- Hemingway

    "Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
  • gimmesometruth27gimmesometruth27 St. Fuckin Louis Posts: 22,130
    that was the time Speedy and I got drunk and accidently climbed Everest.
    There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.- Hemingway

    "Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
  • HorosHoros Posts: 4,518

     =) 
    #FHP
  • RenfieldRenfield NYC NY Posts: 1,054
    brianlux said:
    Renfield said:
    Horos said:


    @Horos   We must have just missed each other🤣
    Awww, matching outfits.  How cute!
    :lol:
    Ahahahaha:)
  • hedonisthedonist standing on the edge of forever Posts: 24,524
    that was the time Speedy and I got drunk and accidently climbed Everest.
    :rofl:

    Those photos are some of the best of this thread.
  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 40,596

    Whoo hoo!  Partying at the top of the world!  :smiley:
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • Meltdown99Meltdown99 None Of Your Business... Posts: 10,739
    vaggar99 said:
    The climbing season is now over.  So let's hope Nepal develops better regulations and issues fewer permits...
    let's also hope that no child goes hungry tonite.  not going to happen.
    maybe you should look up the definition of hope... ;):o
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • vaggar99vaggar99 San Diego USA Posts: 3,425
    vaggar99 said:
    The climbing season is now over.  So let's hope Nepal develops better regulations and issues fewer permits...
    let's also hope that no child goes hungry tonite.  not going to happen.
    maybe you should look up the definition of hope... ;):o

  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 40,596
    vaggar99 said:
    vaggar99 said:
    The climbing season is now over.  So let's hope Nepal develops better regulations and issues fewer permits...
    let's also hope that no child goes hungry tonite.  not going to happen.
    maybe you should look up the definition of hope... ;):o

    "Hope is not the conviction that things will turn out well.  Hope the the conviction to do what makes sense no matter how things turn out."
    -Vaclav Havel
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • hedonisthedonist standing on the edge of forever Posts: 24,524
    brianlux said:
    vaggar99 said:
    vaggar99 said:
    The climbing season is now over.  So let's hope Nepal develops better regulations and issues fewer permits...
    let's also hope that no child goes hungry tonite.  not going to happen.
    maybe you should look up the definition of hope... ;):o

    "Hope is not the conviction that things will turn out well.  Hope the the conviction to do what makes sense no matter how things turn out."
    -Vaclav Havel
    Then why do we say "I hope you feel better", etc.?  It can be something which we do on someone's behalf.  I guess I do, anyway - it's something to aim for.



    I hope I've articulated this well.  Ha.
  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 40,596
    hedonist said:
    brianlux said:
    vaggar99 said:
    vaggar99 said:
    The climbing season is now over.  So let's hope Nepal develops better regulations and issues fewer permits...
    let's also hope that no child goes hungry tonite.  not going to happen.
    maybe you should look up the definition of hope... ;):o

    "Hope is not the conviction that things will turn out well.  Hope the the conviction to do what makes sense no matter how things turn out."
    -Vaclav Havel
    Then why do we say "I hope you feel better", etc.?  It can be something which we do on someone's behalf.  I guess I do, anyway - it's something to aim for.



    I hope I've articulated this well.  Ha.
    Different kinds of hope, maybe?  Taking action or wishing well.

    I hope my recycling helps the planet = doing what makes sense by taking action.

    I hope you feel better = wishing someone well.

    I think there may be other kinds of hope.   I hope I can remember what they are, LOL.
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • benjsbenjs Toronto, ON Posts: 8,929
    brianlux said:
    vaggar99 said:
    vaggar99 said:
    The climbing season is now over.  So let's hope Nepal develops better regulations and issues fewer permits...
    let's also hope that no child goes hungry tonite.  not going to happen.
    maybe you should look up the definition of hope... ;):o

    "Hope is not the conviction that things will turn out well.  Hope the the conviction to do what makes sense no matter how things turn out."
    -Vaclav Havel
    "Hope is not a plan"
    -A cynical dude I know
    '05 - TO, '06 - TO 1, '08 - NYC 1 & 2, '09 - TO, Chi 1 & 2, '10 - Buffalo, NYC 1 & 2, '11 - TO 1 & 2, Hamilton, '13 - Buffalo, Brooklyn 1 & 2, '15 - Global Citizen, '16 - TO 1 & 2, Chi 2

    EV
    Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 40,596
    benjs said:
    brianlux said:
    vaggar99 said:
    vaggar99 said:
    The climbing season is now over.  So let's hope Nepal develops better regulations and issues fewer permits...
    let's also hope that no child goes hungry tonite.  not going to happen.
    maybe you should look up the definition of hope... ;):o

    "Hope is not the conviction that things will turn out well.  Hope the the conviction to do what makes sense no matter how things turn out."
    -Vaclav Havel
    "Hope is not a plan"
    -A cynical dude I know
    The dude sounds hopeless.
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • benjsbenjs Toronto, ON Posts: 8,929
    brianlux said:
    benjs said:
    brianlux said:
    vaggar99 said:
    vaggar99 said:
    The climbing season is now over.  So let's hope Nepal develops better regulations and issues fewer permits...
    let's also hope that no child goes hungry tonite.  not going to happen.
    maybe you should look up the definition of hope... ;):o

    "Hope is not the conviction that things will turn out well.  Hope the the conviction to do what makes sense no matter how things turn out."
    -Vaclav Havel
    "Hope is not a plan"
    -A cynical dude I know
    The dude sounds hopeless.
    I guess by definition you're right! It's not my favourite quote, but it's true that ideas don't generate change - ideas with actions attached do. 
    '05 - TO, '06 - TO 1, '08 - NYC 1 & 2, '09 - TO, Chi 1 & 2, '10 - Buffalo, NYC 1 & 2, '11 - TO 1 & 2, Hamilton, '13 - Buffalo, Brooklyn 1 & 2, '15 - Global Citizen, '16 - TO 1 & 2, Chi 2

    EV
    Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
  • hedonisthedonist standing on the edge of forever Posts: 24,524
    benjs said:
    brianlux said:
    benjs said:
    brianlux said:
    vaggar99 said:
    vaggar99 said:
    The climbing season is now over.  So let's hope Nepal develops better regulations and issues fewer permits...
    let's also hope that no child goes hungry tonite.  not going to happen.
    maybe you should look up the definition of hope... ;):o

    "Hope is not the conviction that things will turn out well.  Hope the the conviction to do what makes sense no matter how things turn out."
    -Vaclav Havel
    "Hope is not a plan"
    -A cynical dude I know
    The dude sounds hopeless.
    I guess by definition you're right! It's not my favourite quote, but it's true that ideas don't generate change - ideas with actions attached do. 
    True...and I try to do my small part - common sense shit: recycling, no littering, my husband drives a muscle car so perhaps that's an indulgence, but it's been put to good and fairly responsible use in the years since he bought it, all the regular things.

    Some accomplish greater feats in this realm and that's wonderful.  I'm just doing what I can.  Every individual's tiny dent makes a difference.
  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 40,596
    benjs said:
    brianlux said:
    benjs said:
    brianlux said:
    vaggar99 said:
    vaggar99 said:
    The climbing season is now over.  So let's hope Nepal develops better regulations and issues fewer permits...
    let's also hope that no child goes hungry tonite.  not going to happen.
    maybe you should look up the definition of hope... ;):o

    "Hope is not the conviction that things will turn out well.  Hope the the conviction to do what makes sense no matter how things turn out."
    -Vaclav Havel
    "Hope is not a plan"
    -A cynical dude I know
    The dude sounds hopeless.
    I guess by definition you're right! It's not my favourite quote, but it's true that ideas don't generate change - ideas with actions attached do. 
    With actions, yes Ben!
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 40,596
    Further proof that many humans, even those who seek the wonders of beautiful, high mountains, have utter disregard for nature.  This boggles my mind- a rowing machine abandoned on the top of France's highest mountain, Mount Blanc?  Four kilograms of chewing gum removed from a single mountain?  Utterly disgusting behavior!  Hikers that pull this kind of shit should be chained to a rock like Prometheus at the top of the mountain and have their livers pecked out by eagles. 



    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • oftenreadingoftenreading Victoria, BC Posts: 12,821
    brianlux said:
    Further proof that many humans, even those who seek the wonders of beautiful, high mountains, have utter disregard for nature.  This boggles my mind- a rowing machine abandoned on the top of France's highest mountain, Mount Blanc?  Four kilograms of chewing gum removed from a single mountain?  Utterly disgusting behavior!  Hikers that pull this kind of shit should be chained to a rock like Prometheus at the top of the mountain and have their livers pecked out by eagles. 




    Pack it in, pack it out, people. It's not the difficult a concept. 
    my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
  • oftenreadingoftenreading Victoria, BC Posts: 12,821
    Also, leave it better than you found it - i.e., take out some of the garbage that you find when you hike.
    my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 40,596
    brianlux said:
    Further proof that many humans, even those who seek the wonders of beautiful, high mountains, have utter disregard for nature.  This boggles my mind- a rowing machine abandoned on the top of France's highest mountain, Mount Blanc?  Four kilograms of chewing gum removed from a single mountain?  Utterly disgusting behavior!  Hikers that pull this kind of shit should be chained to a rock like Prometheus at the top of the mountain and have their livers pecked out by eagles. 




    Pack it in, pack it out, people. It's not the difficult a concept. 

    Also, leave it better than you found it - i.e., take out some of the garbage that you find when you hike.
    Yes!

    That's the first thing (and repeated each outing) we were taught in scouts- pack in in, pack it out, and leave the site cleaner than it was when you arrived.  When I lived up in Washington, whenever I took my young nephews out to the spit along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, we came back with bags of garbage we picked up.  They were really cool about sort of making a game of it and any cans or bottles they found they got to keep the money when we cashed them in at the recycling center.  And we had fun!
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













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