• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Mount Everest Anyone?

DrewPaul

DrewPaul

Banned
Supporting Member
DP Veteran
Monthly Donator
Joined
Aug 15, 2020
Messages
17,873
Reaction score
7,235
Gender
Male
Political Leaning
Conservative
Ever since I read the book Into Thin Air I have been fascinated by people who have the courage (foolhardy) gumption to climb it. They are all aware of how many people die trying, some without even getting to the top. The video is about the technically most difficult part of the climb the legendary Hillary step. Everyone says though the scariest part is crossing this huge chasm by walking over an aluminum ladder. Just watching is harrowing enough for me...I think most do this out of sheer ego. I think its dumb for people with children to do this. You die that's all they'll remember.

 
Watch that video and then imagine being Hillary or Tenzing (sp?) in 1953.
 
I can’t believe the mounds of trash left behind.
 
DrewPaul said:
Did they even have oxygen?
Click to expand...
According to the interweb; Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay's first ascent of Mt.Everest in 1952 was largely made possible by their use of bottled oxygen.
 
DrewPaul said:
Ever since I read the book Into Thin Air I have been fascinated by people who have the courage (foolhardy) gumption to climb it. They are all aware of how many people die trying,
Click to expand...
Foolhardy is the correct word and it's always the other guy who is gonna die so these rocket scientists don't even consider that possibility.
 
Rexedgar said:
I can’t believe the mounds of trash left behind.
Click to expand...
Over 200 corpses up there as well but taking them down would result in more bodies. They were offering bounties on empty O bottles which helped a lot.
 
noonereal said:
Foolhardy is the correct word and it's always the other guy who is gonna die so these rocket scientists don't even consider that possibility.
Click to expand...
The worst one's are the people with children and a spouse in my opinion. If you're single and want to take a chance it's your life. When you have children its not your life to do as you please.
 
DrewPaul said:
Over 200 corpses up there as well but taking them down would result in more bodies. They were offering bounties on empty O bottles which helped a lot.
Click to expand...
IMO, all climbing should be suspended until the mountain is cleaned up.
 
Rexedgar said:
According to the interweb; Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay's first ascent of Mt.Everest in 1952 was largely made possible by their use of bottled oxygen.
Click to expand...
Ah, thanks. I was also wondering whether they had oxygen.
 
Rexedgar said:
According to the interweb; Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay's first ascent of Mt.Everest in 1952 was largely made possible by their use of bottled oxygen.
Click to expand...
And his use of a Sherpa.
 
noonereal said:
Foolhardy is the correct word and it's always the other guy who is gonna die so these rocket scientists don't even consider that possibility.
Click to expand...
The guides (Sherpas?) risk their lives to make a living by shepherding amateurs. I imagine a number of the guides die in the process.
 
Rexedgar said:
IMO, all climbing should be suspended until the mountain is cleaned up.
Click to expand...
Qft

And close the world's beachs until every piece of plastic, excrement and chemical dump has been cleaned up.
 
DrewPaul said:
Ever since I read the book Into Thin Air I have been fascinated by people who have the courage (foolhardy) gumption to climb it. They are all aware of how many people die trying, some without even getting to the top. The video is about the technically most difficult part of the climb the legendary Hillary step. Everyone says though the scariest part is crossing this huge chasm by walking over an aluminum ladder. Just watching is harrowing enough for me...I think most do this out of sheer ego. I think its dumb for people with children to do this. You die that's all they'll remember.

Click to expand...

When you have a line of people that long, trying to get in a record book, there is a problem, IMO.
 
Pyrite said:
The guides (Sherpas?) risk their lives to make a living by shepherding amateurs. I imagine a number of the guides die in the process.
Click to expand...
Tough way to make a living.
 
Pyrite said:
The guides (Sherpas?) risk their lives to make a living by shepherding amateurs. I imagine a number of the guides die in the process.
Click to expand...
The Sherpas are well respected in their communities and make good cash compared to others in the community. They die also. Usually helping someone.
 
Rexedgar said:
When you have a line of people that long, trying to get in a record book, there is a problem, IMO.
Click to expand...
Yes they're losing brain cells using up their oxygen as they wait interminably for their turn. They also have to work around other people getting the hell off the mountain. The book Into Thin Air discusses the commercialization of it. The people using a guide company pay huge money and have to take nearly two months off. The last few weeks are agony in preparation and acclimating climbs. Its no vacation.
 
DrewPaul said:
Yes they're losing brain cells using up their oxygen as they wait interminably for their turn. They also have to work around other people getting the hell off the mountain. The book Into Thin Air discusses the commercialization of it. The people using a guide company pay huge money and have to take nearly two months off. The last few weeks are agony in preparation and acclimating climbs. Its no vacation.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the video and for the information you've provided. That book has long been on my "To Read" list. I'll bump it to the top - and try to remember to get it.
 
Pyrite said:
Thanks for the video and for the information you've provided. That book has long been on my "To Read" list. I'll bump it to the top - and try to remember to get it.
Click to expand...
My pleasure. If you enjoy that book you might like the book 'Alive' about the football team (soccer) that crashed in the Andes mountains. Gruesomely they resorted to cannibalism but hey you do what you got to. I get so involved in books like that I actually start shivering when reading.
 
DrewPaul said:
My pleasure. If you enjoy that book you might like the book 'Alive' about the football team (soccer) that crashed in the Andes mountains. Gruesomely they resorted to cannibalism but hey you do what you got to. I get so involved in books like that I actually start shivering when reading.
Click to expand...
Thanks!
 
DrewPaul said:
The worst one's are the people with children and a spouse in my opinion. If you're single and want to take a chance it's your life. When you have children its not your life to do as you please.
Click to expand...

Agree. It costs almost $100,000. If you have a family, it's incredibly selfish to even put them thru that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom