Everest, is it that big a deal?

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7 years ago

Shooting the breeze.

515

885 posts

515

885 posts

29 May 2019 7:29pm

On NZ news today its been 66 years since first accent by Ed Hillary!!!
Comments that he wouldn't be happy with today's situation without enough trained guides and limit number of climbers.
The amount of training would still be hugh but its seems like its not core climbers but more well off high achievers

theDoctor

NSW

5786 posts

theDoctor

NSW, 5786 posts

29 May 2019 9:41pm

Me and my mate climbed mt Bruce with a box of chooks each last year. Set off in the dark to get the sunrise. both maggoted before dawn, got lost and I dropped my phone somewhere along the way
Busted a plugga on the stumble back and ended up with a face full of spinifex.
Mountain climbing is way hard.

Hardcarve1

QLD

550 posts

Hardcarve1

QLD, 550 posts

29 May 2019 10:16pm

I just watched the movie Free Solo that had Alex Honnold be the first person to free solo climb El Capitan, a 900m granite cliff face in 2017. This climb makes Everest look like a walk up a hill, any mistake or in his words lack of perfection was death. Goes to show that insane first are still out there.

log man

VIC

8289 posts

log man

VIC, 8289 posts

29 May 2019 11:02pm

Main said..
There are some seriously naive and ill-informed statements in here and as usual Loggie is right up there with the front runners.

You need to train hard for a year and spent 40 days on the mountain acclimatizing before you attempt to climb it.

About 800 people per year attempt Everest and about 9 die.

People attempt it for the same reason you'd run an ultra marathon or solo-sail around the world - its just harder and more dangerous.

Only an insipid envious low achiever would scoff at people who push themselves to their limits in whatever their goals were.

Some pretty naive comments about the Sherpas in here too btw.....

as usual you misunderstand. I'm not saying it's not difficult, or dangerous, or that it takes ages to train for it ect. but what I am saying is an exercise in egotism and ultimately, a bit pointless. Btw, I'm all for "pushing yourself to your limits", but there are different limits other than exhaustion, lack of oxygen, starvation etc. Personally I group the people who have to climb Mt Everest with those people who run 300 marathons in 300 days or the people who hop around the world backwards.

Rails

QLD

1371 posts

Rails

QLD, 1371 posts

30 May 2019 5:28am

log man said..

I hopped around the world backwards twice, once on each leg, no one ever asked what I was doing, no socials, no queues either as far as I could see

wait til they get rebreathers working up there, it'll get worse until they figure out they need one fixed rope up and another one (Zip style?) down

Main

QLD

2338 posts

Main

QLD, 2338 posts

30 May 2019 8:22am

FormulaNova said..

So, enlighten us! Its no use saying that the comments are naive without correcting that.

Its easy to sit back and say people are wrong, but its always good to find out why.

Ive been planning a trek to base camp for some time. Im still struggling with the flight into Lukla airport which some friends didn't even realise was so dangerous until they got in the plane.

For me the climb would be too hard - I know because I've researched it a thoroughly. Below is a quick example of what your in for....

www.mounteverest.net/expguide/route.htm

K2 is a technically harder climb. But that's like saying to a newbie surfer that Jaws is easier to surf that Shipsterns....

Nepal is a very poor country and heavily dependent on tourism. Tourism revolves around trekking and climbing.

Gorgo

VIC

5124 posts

Gorgo

VIC, 5124 posts

30 May 2019 11:21am

We did the Annapurna circuit some years ago. None of it is all that hard if you take it slowly. You need to take it slowly to acclimatise properly. We had people blast past us only to return with altitude sickness the next day.

I've done 8 trips to the Indian Himalayas (2008, 2012-2018). It's all pretty cruisey if you do it right. It can be a disaster if you do it wrong.

Chris6791

3271 posts

Chris6791

WA, 3271 posts

30 May 2019 12:38pm

Main said..

Ive been planning a trek to base camp for some time. Im still struggling with the flight into Lukla airport which some friends didn't even realise was so dangerous until they got in the plane.

For me the climb would be too hard - I know because I've researched it a thoroughly. Below is a quick example of what your in for....

www.mounteverest.net/expguide/route.htm

K2 is a technically harder climb. But that's like saying to a newbie surfer that Jaws is easier to surf that Shipsterns....

Nepal is a very poor country and heavily dependent on tourism. Tourism revolves around trekking and climbing.

You can avoid the flight to Lukla, there's a few options to bus to Jiri, Salerno or Shivalaya (trying to remember their names) and trek up to Lukla. It does add several more days though but speaking to guys up there who added that section in they said it was great for acclimatisation and a much quieter start to the trek.

Poida

1922 posts

Poida

WA, 1922 posts

30 May 2019 3:32pm

how about a day trip in a helicopter to near the summit, watch all the suckers and take a selfy then back for an afternoon beer.

FormulaNova

15100 posts

FormulaNova

WA, 15100 posts

30 May 2019 4:12pm

Poida said..
how about a day trip in a helicopter to near the summit, watch all the suckers and take a selfy then back for an afternoon beer.

I think that's a mission in itself. I think there have been cases where they can't get that high to rescue people.

Imax1

QLD

4937 posts

Imax1

QLD, 4937 posts

30 May 2019 6:15pm

They probably got a day spa up there now .
The other side they don't show has a chair lift.

Razzonater

2224 posts

Razzonater

2224 posts

30 May 2019 5:05pm

Gorgo said..
We did the Annapurna circuit some years ago. None of it is all that hard if you take it slowly. You need to take it slowly to acclimatise properly. We had people blast past us only to return with altitude sickness the next day.

I've done 8 trips to the Indian Himalayas (2008, 2012-2018). It's all pretty cruisey if you do it right. It can be a disaster if you do it wrong.

The Indian himalaya trek actually interests me quite a lot a few people I know have done it and thoroughly enjoyed it , the culture the view and the peace and quiet

FormulaNova

15100 posts

FormulaNova

WA, 15100 posts

30 May 2019 5:54pm

Imax1 said..
They probably got a day spa up there now .
The other side they don't show has a chair lift.

Hell of a way to cross the border into China...

Some of the articles I was reading were saying that some mountain climbers were now going to go from the China side as China limits the number of climbers to a manageable level.

Main

QLD

2338 posts

Main

QLD, 2338 posts

31 May 2019 5:21am

Chris6791 said..

Thanks will check that out. Just cant bring myself to get onto that flight.

Ive had a few aborted landings in planes that have freaked me out and theres no flybys at Lukla.....

Main

QLD

2338 posts

Main

QLD, 2338 posts

31 May 2019 5:27am

Razzonater said..

The Indian himalaya trek actually interests me quite a lot a few people I know have done it and thoroughly enjoyed it , the culture the view and the peace and quiet

My kid did it when he was at boarding school in Dehradun.

He and some teammates had to leave halfway through the trek to go play a cricket game back at the school and he reckons the bus trip back out was terrifying.

They camped in the mountains and walked the trails for 5 days - he said it was amazing... He lost about 10% of his bodyweight.

Chris6791

3271 posts

Chris6791

WA, 3271 posts

31 May 2019 8:53am

Bus rides in Nepal are so bad compared to anything I've ever experienced. Did a couple only a month back. Nearly 8 horrible hours to travel 150km.

The flights are fun though, even into Lukla.

Main

QLD

2338 posts

Main

QLD, 2338 posts

31 May 2019 12:49pm

Yeah - Ill risk the bus even though its probably statistically more dangerous...

Chris6791

3271 posts

Chris6791

WA, 3271 posts

31 May 2019 11:50am

You could always bus to the Jiri, trek and then fly out of Lukla. Statistically they have more fatal crashes at Lukla on landing than they do on taking off

Shanty

QLD

487 posts

Shanty

QLD, 487 posts

31 May 2019 4:08pm

FormulaNova said..
With Mt Everest being in the news a bit because of the number of people climbing there, is it that much of an achievement?

Do people care about this anymore?

If you knew someone that climbed Everest with or without oxygen would you really care?

For me, its interesting to hear about the journey, but other than requiring a fair bit of training, it sounds like actually getting to the top is a bit hit and miss, and very much depending on whether you have lucky weather and oxygen.

Has anyone here climbed it?

What is it that people want out of this sort of thing? Something to talk about? Something to make them special amongst their friends?

I just don't understand it.

I think it has to do with your goals and dreams in life. Like I love the ocean and being on boats. I want to sail "solo nonstop and unassisted around Australia" and the world.

If if you don't have the dream or goal what's the point of busting your ass in 10-15metre seas in discomfort away from your family for months on end? It is about self satisfaction. Having a goal and acting upon it. I am going to start preparing for my Australia trip right now. If I don't start I with never finish.
Thats just my person opionion

quikdrawMcgraw

1221 posts

quikdrawMcgraw

1221 posts

31 May 2019 3:04pm

Sitting here with my cup of coffee I realise Everest is pretty easy

Harrow

NSW

4521 posts

Harrow

NSW, 4521 posts

31 May 2019 5:14pm

Shanty1 said..
I think it has to do with your goals and dreams in life. Like I love the ocean and being on boats. I want to sail "solo nonstop and unassisted around Australia" and the world.

I always wanted a big bowl of chocolate ice cream. Guess I'm lucky my life dream is fulfilled on a regular basis. I might try wearing my thermal underwear, ski goggles, dip my toes in a bucket of ice and breathe through a snorkel the next time we buy a litre of Sara Lea Ultra Choc to find out what this Everest thing is all about.

JulianRoss

544 posts

JulianRoss

WA, 544 posts

31 May 2019 4:22pm

Harrow said..

Shanty1 said..
I think it has to do with your goals and dreams in life. Like I love the ocean and being on boats. I want to sail "solo nonstop and unassisted around Australia" and the world.

.....Was waiting for some Harrow wisdom....... Not disappointed.

Imax1

QLD

4937 posts

Imax1

QLD, 4937 posts

31 May 2019 8:53pm

theDoctor said..

Me and my mate climbed mt Bruce with a box of chooks each last year. Set off in the dark to get the sunrise. both maggoted before dawn, got lost and I dropped my phone somewhere along the way
Busted a plugga on the stumble back and ended up with a face full of spinifex.
Mountain climbing is way hard.

Dood !

Chris6791

3271 posts

Chris6791

WA, 3271 posts

1 Jun 2019 5:53pm

If nothing else Everest is a half decent local beer up there.

Macroscien

QLD

6809 posts

Macroscien

QLD, 6809 posts

2 Jun 2019 7:27pm

Whole Mt Everest business is setup completely wrong.
I would do chair lift or small gondola lift to the top.
Then nice round glassy building on the top. In this building amount of oxygen could be doubled or pressure increase for the comfort and safety of the tourist. Then amount of tourists reaching could increase 100x and so much profit Obviously we could still leave waking path for those more ambitious.
Everything powered by solar power and batteries.

Rails

QLD

1371 posts

Rails

QLD, 1371 posts

2 Jun 2019 7:40pm

Macroscien said..
Whole Mt Everest business is setup completely wrong.
I would do chair lift or small gondola lift to the top.
Then nice round glassy building on the top. In this building amount of oxygen could be doubled or pressure increase for the comfort and safety of the tourist. Then amount of tourists reaching could increase 100x and so much profit Obviously we could still leave waking path for those more ambitious.
Everything powered by solar power and batteries.

Getting the bloody tradies up there'd cost ya

Macroscien

QLD

6809 posts

Macroscien

QLD, 6809 posts

2 Jun 2019 8:17pm

Rails said..

Getting the bloody tradies up there'd cost ya

Maybe, but I am sure that those tradies could do as well as so called " alpinists" or pro climbers.
Looking at this crowd of 200 waiting to crawl to the peak we must agree that is joke already , nothing left from romantic Hilary times.

Chris6791

3271 posts

Chris6791

WA, 3271 posts

2 Jun 2019 6:45pm

Nice idea Macro but baby steps, so let's start with the basics like running water and waste water treatment

FlySurfer

NSW

4460 posts

FlySurfer

NSW, 4460 posts

2 Jun 2019 8:56pm

I've done Everest... I didn't think it was a big deal until I got to base camp, then I was like f me this sh!t is crazy... no f'ing way I was going any higher.
-15c at night.
You need to pie every hour.
You're completely drained.
You have a headache every minute.
Every step is a challenge.
Couldn't wait to get below 3000m.
Every evening there's a katabatic gale.

But the view and the night stars are a sight to behold.

8 people died when I was there including some aussies.

Here's a pic I took...

Gorgo

VIC

5124 posts

Gorgo

VIC, 5124 posts

2 Jun 2019 11:20pm

In Europe they just tunnel up through the middle of the mountain and run a train up there. Eiger, Mont Blanc. Go for a ride up. Have a coffee. Maybe fly down on a paraglider.

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