One of the few trip reports about Everest that I actually enjoyed. I am sure your wife could understand you only live once and will not get a chance to do things like this as you age. Do it when you are relatively young and have the energy!
Thanks for the sentiment. I definitely owe my wife for this one. On the one hand its a silly thing to do, with all of the associated risks, on the other it was the culmination of thirty years of mountaineering for me.
Thanks Scott. I enjoyed reading about your trip to the South Pacific... Another place that I'd love to visit sometime. It sounds like you had an adventure on some of those hikes.
Wonderful writing here Rob! ....But I confess to wondering, when it is all said and done, do you come down on the side of your very objective and reasonable wife or are you trying to mischieviously kindle an obsession? Very nice job on this, you leave me on the fence--where I seem to have permanent residence. 10/10
Climbing Everest was a somewhat stupid and selfish thing to do. It was also the culmination of thirty years of climbing. It is a dichotomy... For years the rational side won out and I refrained from an attempt but then my increasing age, an offer from Jeff who is an amazing climber, and a few other factors tipped my mind to the dark side and I made the attempt and climb. Now, after two Himalayan expeditions I am done with mountaineering there (at least until I am 80 when I've always said I will make my attempt on K2...) Enjoy the experience if you choose to go. For me it was not the funnest trip but in some ways it was the most challenging and most rewarding.
Thank you. There were some tough times mixed in, but it is truly a beautiful place. I certainly have many people to thank for helping me along the way...
On both your ascent to the roof of the world, and your excellent TR.
Your enthusiasm and honesty are palpable, refreshing, and admirable.
I sense from your TR that that your incredible effort and sacrifice were worth it for you. I try but can't imagine the feeling you got - going through all that, then - through your own efforts - standing on the highest point on the planet: What a rush it must have been for you! Seeing what Tenzing and Hillary saw: Makalu, Kangchenjunga, Cho Oyu, probably Shisha Pangma, maybe even Manaslu...
WOW!
Then, your acknowledgement of the sacrifices of your family - poignant and powerful!
Bill Reed - Sep 4, 2012 9:07 am - Voted 10/10
Great report Rob!!Congrats on fulfilling your lifelong dream.
RobSC - Sep 4, 2012 7:46 pm - Hasn't voted
Thanks.I appreciate your kind thoughts. It was the hardest climb that I've ever done in a mental and an altitude sense...
Vitaliy M. - Sep 5, 2012 6:55 pm - Hasn't voted
CongratsOne of the few trip reports about Everest that I actually enjoyed. I am sure your wife could understand you only live once and will not get a chance to do things like this as you age. Do it when you are relatively young and have the energy!
RobSC - Sep 5, 2012 10:28 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: CongratsThanks for the sentiment. I definitely owe my wife for this one. On the one hand its a silly thing to do, with all of the associated risks, on the other it was the culmination of thirty years of mountaineering for me.
Vitaliy M. - Sep 6, 2012 11:03 am - Hasn't voted
Re: CongratsUnlike the many people that go, you actually deserve to be there. Have the skills to be there. Well done!
RobSC - Sep 9, 2012 8:52 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: CongratsThanks again. I appreciate the sentiment.
Scott - Sep 7, 2012 12:53 pm - Voted 10/10
NiceEnjoyed the report.
RobSC - Sep 7, 2012 6:47 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: NiceThanks Scott. I enjoyed reading about your trip to the South Pacific... Another place that I'd love to visit sometime. It sounds like you had an adventure on some of those hikes.
JoelSkok - Sep 9, 2012 9:10 am - Voted 10/10
"To perhaps kindle an obsession"Wonderful writing here Rob! ....But I confess to wondering, when it is all said and done, do you come down on the side of your very objective and reasonable wife or are you trying to mischieviously kindle an obsession? Very nice job on this, you leave me on the fence--where I seem to have permanent residence. 10/10
RobSC - Sep 9, 2012 8:51 pm - Hasn't voted
Re:Climbing Everest was a somewhat stupid and selfish thing to do. It was also the culmination of thirty years of climbing. It is a dichotomy... For years the rational side won out and I refrained from an attempt but then my increasing age, an offer from Jeff who is an amazing climber, and a few other factors tipped my mind to the dark side and I made the attempt and climb. Now, after two Himalayan expeditions I am done with mountaineering there (at least until I am 80 when I've always said I will make my attempt on K2...) Enjoy the experience if you choose to go. For me it was not the funnest trip but in some ways it was the most challenging and most rewarding.
RobSC - Sep 9, 2012 8:54 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Congraulations!Thank you. There were some tough times mixed in, but it is truly a beautiful place. I certainly have many people to thank for helping me along the way...
Charles - Sep 10, 2012 6:53 am - Voted 10/10
Well done!Glad you did it - and got back safe an sound!
RobSC - Sep 10, 2012 7:36 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Well done!Thanks for the kind words. Best of luck on your own adventures.
MoapaPk - Sep 10, 2012 11:02 am - Voted 10/10
excellent proseUnless you are the best faker in the world... you have a good perspective!
RobSC - Sep 10, 2012 7:38 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: excellent proseThanks. Hopefully it's not all a facade... I try to be pretty down to earth about things.
Finarphin - Sep 10, 2012 9:47 pm - Hasn't voted
Way to GoGreat trip report, and photos. Awesome photo of the summit.
RobSC - Sep 10, 2012 10:53 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Way to GoThanks for your kind words. You have some pretty awesome photos yourself.
EastKing - Sep 11, 2012 2:18 pm - Voted 10/10
Excellent Everest TRWay to go!!! Excellent photos!!!
RobSC - Sep 11, 2012 8:07 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Excellent Everest TRThank you for your kind words. It was an adventure...
lsheen - Sep 11, 2012 10:12 pm - Voted 10/10
Rob, HUGE congrats...On both your ascent to the roof of the world, and your excellent TR.
Your enthusiasm and honesty are palpable, refreshing, and admirable.
I sense from your TR that that your incredible effort and sacrifice were worth it for you. I try but can't imagine the feeling you got - going through all that, then - through your own efforts - standing on the highest point on the planet: What a rush it must have been for you! Seeing what Tenzing and Hillary saw: Makalu, Kangchenjunga, Cho Oyu, probably Shisha Pangma, maybe even Manaslu...
WOW!
Then, your acknowledgement of the sacrifices of your family - poignant and powerful!
Thanks for sharing so deeply.
Oh yeah - great photos, too!
Big Lew