Mount Everest: compare and contrast

[wks]

In case you've missed it, Mount Everest has been a topic du jour in the international media for a number of days this week. The media attention has mainly focussed on Mark Inglis, the first double amputee to successfully reach the summit of Mount Everest

Comments

[befkoof]

you're so right...the determination of people can be incredible. I *believe* Inglish lost his legs in a previous climb as well. But I guess if their life is incomplete without conquering it then maybe its worth it? Well it must be to some people..

I really don't know what to think about leaving people on the mountain..I guess its a hard thing to judge 'oh they won't survive anyway'...and i wouldn't blame him for going on when he had got that far..but it would be the hardest decision to make.

[bryyin]

i don't get the whole everest thing too. i mean, we fly regularly over mountains and shit.
then again, we're heading over to wilson's prom to climb mt. oberon in a month's time.
so. er. hm.. well, i'm sure it'll make great dinner conversation...

"oh, so what happened to your fingers?"
"well, y'know, the usual, i lost them to everest."
"just like your legs?"
"yeah, i finally got the bugger though. I CLIMBED THE MOUNTAIN. go me"
"er. right... what's for dessert?"

[imalegend]

The whole idea of leaving someone to die does not sit well with me at all.

Mountaineering is something I don't ever see myself in because ultimately I don't think I would be able to leave a fellow adventurer to die alone. There's a lot of risks involved and although it is exciting and thrilling, (and despite me wanting to increase both of these in my life), I do have to draw the line somewhere.

I can't fathom why no one, be it individual or organised body has sat down to give strict guidelines as to how much oxygen a climber should carry to climb the mountain. There are guidelines for diving, what's the difference with mountaineering besides the obvious. It surely can't be that difficult. Yes it means more equipment and possibly a requirement for fitter climbers but if it means less oxygen starved people it can't be a bad thing can it?