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anyone here ever done everest??

PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 11:02 am
by emmieuk
I am new to all of this and all my book reading has made me so excited!

PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 2:50 pm
by Bruno
These two members have climbed Everest solo without supplementary oxygen. I think they will kindly answer all the questions you may have about an Everest climb:

http://www.summitpost.org/user_page.php?user_id=19503
http://www.summitpost.org/user_page.php?user_id=30881

Welcome to SP!

PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 4:16 pm
by emmieuk
thanks everyone

May I ask why Everest seems to be a sore/weird subject on such forums?

forgive me but I am new to it all...

PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 4:48 pm
by emmieuk
thanks guys

I udnerstand I am one of those 'noobs'.

I do also understand that there are other mountains to climb which are harder etc etc and yes I am the one who has climbed a stair or two and as a tourist on a volcano trek.

Thing is people all have to start somewhere and of course Everest is where most peoples interest comes from either reading about it or watching a documentary.

Thanks for clearing up the issues :)

PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 5:26 pm
by CindyAbbott
emmieuk wrote:thanks everyone

May I ask why Everest seems to be a sore/weird subject on such forums?

forgive me but I am new to it all...


Oh my gosh, Welcome to SP, but be perpared when you mention the word "Everest"

Look in "general" forum for thread called Everest Rant. You will need about two hours to read it and do not dismay if you get confused as you go through.

For me, watching Everest: Beyond the Limit was what got me interested in big mountains but like others have said you have to start slow/low and learn about all the factors involved.

PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 7:03 pm
by fatdad
emmieuk wrote:thanks everyone

May I ask why Everest seems to be a sore/weird subject on such forums?

forgive me but I am new to it all...


Let me provide a different perspective than what most others have said.

The reason why people sneer at neophytes who read one book and decide they want to climb Everest is that they are a trophy hunters, not climbers.

Everest, though not the most difficult peak to climb, had until about 20 yrs. ago maintained a mystic because it was the tallest. As a result, it was kind of a goal for climbers, who would typically only approach it after gaining years of skill and experience.

Nowadays, it's become like a pricey item in an expensive boutique. You pay to play. If you have the money, even if you lack the skill or experience, you can hire someone to handle viritually every aspect of the climb for you. In some instances, that even involves a Sherpa who will tow you up or push you from behind (no joke).

For a lot of climbers, climbing is a metaphor for life. How well you live is determined in part by the values and ethics you employ when climbing. Paying someone $50K to drag you up a mountain with a bunch of trophy seeking neophytes is not consistent with those values.

PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 7:25 pm
by CindyAbbott
knoback wrote:If you want a better perspective on this "Everest Thing", pick up Eiger Dreams by Jon Krakauer and Rock Jocks, Wall Rats, and Hang Dogs by John Long. The stories may clarify some of the reasons for the animosity between high altitude mountaineers and technical climbers (from both perspectives). Plus they are fun to read, at least more fun than the internet forums, unless you'd rather sit in on a good set of 'the dozens' than read a good book.


Well said!

PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 7:44 pm
by HeyItsBen
Vitaliy M wrote:Couple of times, as a day-hike...


Did that make men wilt in your presence?

PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 10:51 pm
by Augie Medina
CindyAbbott wrote:
emmieuk wrote:thanks everyone

May I ask why Everest seems to be a sore/weird subject on such forums?

forgive me but I am new to it all...


Oh my gosh, Welcome to SP, but be perpared when you mention the word "Everest"

Look in "general" forum for thread called Everest Rant. You will need about two hours to read it and do not dismay if you get confused as you go through.

For me, watching Everest: Beyond the Limit was what got me interested in big mountains but like others have said you have to start slow/low and learn about all the factors involved.


FYI emmieuk, Cindy has summited Everest. I think the Everest Rant thread she referred to made her gun-shy about saying so in her reply to you, but she needn't hold back, it was quite an accomplishment. On the other hand, the comments about why some people wouldn't be interested in doing Everest, at least guided, are also well stated. Learn to love and respect the mountains, develop your skills, and then you can make up your own mind where you come out on this issue.

PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 11:00 pm
by CindyAbbott
Oh shucks :oops:

PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 11:19 pm
by fatdad
CindyAbbott wrote:Oh shucks :oops:


Absolutely. Congrats. Despite what I said on my earlier thread, everyone on this thread probably knows the amount of heavy lifting, the cold, the headaches, the coughing, the wheezing, the daily grind and discomfort of climbing the Big E. A wonderful feather to have in your cap.

PostPosted: Sat Aug 21, 2010 2:31 am
by pearson
Dougb wrote:Unfortunately, to be remembered, you have to be "the first" or "the first to do it in a certain style". ...
We have become numb, and it takes something absolutely amazing to get noticed any more.


There are far better ways to "get noticed" than by climbing mountains. To get noticed cure cancer, feed the poor, solve global warming, ... . Climb mountains for yourself not so that others will notice you.

PostPosted: Sat Aug 21, 2010 2:43 am
by radson
Vitaliy M wrote:
emmieuk wrote:thanks everyone

May I ask why Everest seems to be a sore/weird subject on such forums?

forgive me but I am new to it all...


Some people are here to get out somewhere less explored, less populated by people, or harder technically etc. Some are jelous of others who are able to pay a big price tag for their summit chance. Some are tired of "noobs" asking about climbing everest even though they have not climbed a stair master in years. Most of all people here understand that majority of the people asking are not actually going to climb it. To climb Everest you need to love climbing mountains no matter what kind. If person is asking about Everest without a clue than it is obvious they don't climb, and are not aware of what they may get into. It is a combination of things.
Personally, I would love to climb Everest, but I don't want to stand in line or pay 50K to climb a mountain. There are slightly lower mountains in 6500-8000M range that offer great views, awesome climbing, less of a price tag, and a lot less people on it that I would be interested in. There are 12-14,000ft mountains here in Sierra that I can spend my whole life climbing and enjoy every minute.
My advice is watch Discovery Channel series "Everest:Beyond the Limit" Awesome documentary about people from different walks of life trying to climb it. I think it is one of the things that got me into mountaineering...


As you probably know, 50k is at the high end of the scale. On a self supported trip from Tibet, you might be able to have a crack for 10k. As for crowds, just try the west face, its a big mountain, no need for crowds if you don't want :).

PostPosted: Sat Aug 21, 2010 2:56 am
by pearson
radson wrote:As for crowds, just try the west face, its a big mountain, no need for crowds if you don't want :).


I was under the impression that you pretty much have to go through the Hillary step to reach the summit? Not that I know anything about it but the Hillary step is what seems to be the worst place as far as crowds go?

PostPosted: Sat Aug 21, 2010 3:03 am
by radson
I am no expert but I think its a function of ones climbing prowess and risk profile. The main routes go via the Hilary Step or Second Step but I am sure the more imaginative have summited avoiding these two bottlenecks.