SummitPost.org

Posted: **Fri Aug 20, 2010 10:51 pm**

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.

Posted: **Fri Aug 20, 2010 11:00 pm**

Oh shucks

Posted: **Fri Aug 20, 2010 11:19 pm**

CindyAbbott wrote:Oh shucks

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.

Posted: **Sat Aug 21, 2010 2:31 am**

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.

Posted: **Sat Aug 21, 2010 2:43 am**

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

.

Posted: **Sat Aug 21, 2010 2:56 am**

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?

Posted: **Sat Aug 21, 2010 3:03 am**

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.

Posted: **Sat Aug 21, 2010 5:04 pm**

pearson wrote:
radson wrote:As for crowds, just try the west face, its a big mountain, no need for crowds if you don't want .

Cindy Added: There's the answer, try the west face of the Big E. Absolutely no crowds

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?

Even though about 80 climbers left Camp 4 within a 2-hour period on summit day. By the time I got to the Hillary Step everyone was spread out and I just walked up to it. Then, of course, I have to climb it - wild at 29,000 feet :shock:

Why 80 climbers? Weather had everyone pinned down high on the mountain. It was go up or go home.

Posted: **Sat Aug 21, 2010 8:26 pm**

I just found out about a movie called The Wildest Thing. It's a recreation of Hillary's climb of Everest (with old fashioned hiking boots, the metal stairs on the Second Step have been removed, etc.) to see if Hillary made it to the top. It includes both original photos, films, etc. from earlier climbs and then current views/photography, etc.

Has everyone seen this?

Posted: **Sat Aug 21, 2010 8:59 pm**

thanks guys for all your responses.

I went to HMV and bought Everest dvd as suggested on here and oh my gosh I am more obsessed than ever now.

My family and friends laugh and say it is a late twenties crisis but I dont care!!

For me if I ever ever go to Everest (past base camp anyway seeing as thats where I am trekking to in April) it will be out of determination and passion. I certainly dont have the 60,000 dollar fee being on 14,000 a year wages with a mortgage.

I have nothing but the biggest respect for anyone who has done this. The dvd showed how hard, tough and horrific it is and took all the romantic ideals away. However after the dvd ended.....I wanted more

Posted: **Sat Aug 21, 2010 9:10 pm**

emmieuk wrote:thanks guys for all your responses.

I went to HMV and bought Everest dvd as suggested on here and oh my gosh I am more obsessed than ever now.

My family and friends laugh and say it is a late twenties crisis but I dont care!!

For me if I ever ever go to Everest (past base camp anyway seeing as thats where I am trekking to in April) it will be out of determination and passion. I certainly dont have the 60,000 dollar fee being on 14,000 a year wages with a mortgage.

I have nothing but the biggest respect for anyone who has done this. The dvd showed how hard, tough and horrific it is and took all the romantic ideals away. However after the dvd ended.....I wanted more

A late twenties crisis: what!!!! It is that suppose to be old!?! :lol:

I'm 51

Have fun on your trek to base camp - it is a great experince.

Glad to hear you are not romantizing climbing Everest - there is nothing romantic about it.

Posted: **Sat Aug 21, 2010 10:01 pm**

haha they all think I am a bit nuts as I am usually the party girl who will cab everywhere let alone walk and climb!

I watched some other clips on Everest and frost bite and altitude sickness are not good looks and everything about it is terrifying. I doubt I will ever be one to take the plunge but I am greatful I have found this hobby/way of life. Tomorrow is my first ever climb. Albiet only 2 thousand feet but hey all I have managed so far is stairs...

I am totally hooked though. Bought Mallorys writings today I intend of giving those a read tonight....and not party??

Posted: **Sun Aug 22, 2010 12:21 am**

Somehow I'm never comfortable when people talk about "doing" a mountain. I think of similar phrases, used to describe male-female relationships.

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anyone here ever done everest??