Does this photo make any sense to you?
There was a time when summiting the world’s tallest mountain — Everest — was an amazing story of courage, stamina, perseverance and — probably — a great deal of good luck.
It wasn’t until 1953 that New Zealand beekeeper Edmund Hillary and his sherpa guide — Tenzing Norgay — became the first to reach the top of the 29,028-foot mountain. It was a monumental achievement and inspired others to take up the challenge.
But in the intervening 69 years, the conquest of Everest has taken on an entirely different look.
With every passing year, increasing numbers of climbers — many with little or no training — have attempted to scale Everest. Why? I’m sure there are many reasons, but I believe the biggest is likely very simple: Bragging rights.
What could be better to hold forth at the country club or the Wednesday Rotary lunch than a first-hand, white-knuckle account of conquering the highest point on Earth? Maybe even write a best-selling book or make an award-winning documentary of your death-defying accomplishment?
Yes, to amaze and impress your friends and relatives, not to mention the possibility of landing a sweet job somewhere as the company’s resident Everest beater.
“Have you met Bob, our president of sales -- who has actually climbed Mount Everest?”
Let the envy sales begin…
According to the Internet, as of 2019 more than 10,000 people have climbed Everest since Hillary and Norgay. Unfortunately, another 300 died in the attempt.
And there are many ways to die on Everest: Falling is a big one, of course, but other ways include freezing to death when a sudden storm rolls in, and oxygen deprivation in the so-called “Death Zone,” that section of the mountain above 26,000 feet where — unless you are super fit — the body can not process enough oxygen in the very thin atmosphere at that height.
That’s why supplemental oxygen tanks are hauled up the mountain, resulting in a mountain of tank litter over the years.
But the biggest problem summiting Everest now is the hoards of climbers who show up every year to try to grab a piece of glory during the limited window of good weather permitting a successful climb.
That window is now — April and May depending on the weather — and about 300 climbers are expected to give the mountain a try in 2022.
With long lines snaking up the mountain, climbers can get stuck in the Death Zone while waiting their turn to hold a sign and get a photo at the top. And let’s face it: There’s just so much room up there to pose for that shot, so those behind you can only stand and wait in the freezing cold for their magic moment.
On the flip side of Everest fame and glory are the estimated 200 bodies of the dead still on the mountain who tried to make it to the top — or did and then died on the way down.
In some cases, the bodies are not removed because it would be too dangerous to carry them down. Other bodies are left to remind climbers of what they are risking.
And it’s not cheap to climb the Big Mountain. The cost to climb Everest, including an $11,000 permit from Nepal — which loosely oversees the climbs — averages between $35,000 and $65,000, with some “luxury” expeditions ranging up to more than $150,000.
So yes, pretty much an elitist “sport” that tends to draw rich dentists, doctors, attorneys and other assorted business types along with young retirees and trust funders -- all with money to spare and an ego that needs stroking.
But whatever. People can spend their money on anything that pleases them and risk their lives in pursuit of that adrenalin rush that pulls them — briefly — out of their boring day jobs.
So go for it, mountain lovers. As for me, I’m content with summiting little old Long’s Peak in Colorado (14,259 feet) back in ’85.
Not quite the same view as the top of Everest, but it was all I would ever need.
Long's Peak view
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