Posted on 04/18/2014 4:37:13 AM PDT by jimbo123
An avalanche swept down a slope of Mount Everest on Friday along a route used to ascend the world's highest peak, killing at least 13 people in the mountain's deadliest disaster.
NBC News confirmed that all of the dead were Sherpa guides.
The guides had gone early in the morning to fix the ropes for hundreds of climbers when the avalanche hit them just below Camp 2 around 6:30 a.m. local time, Nepal Tourism Ministry official Krishna Lamsal told The Associated Press.
Tilak Ram Pandey, an official at the ministry's mountaineering department, later told Reuters that some other people were thought to be missing.
Hundreds of climbers, their guides and support guides had gathered at the base camp, gearing up for their final attempt to scale the 29,035-foot peak early next month when weather conditions get favorable. They have been setting up their camps at higher altitudes and guides fixing routes and ropes on the slopes ahead of the final ascend to the summit in May.
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcnews.com ...
The idea of going where thousands have been before, where the oxygen is so low that you need supplements just to say awake, let alone alive, is the definition of narcissism.
How sad. Those Sherpas have families. So many affected by this loss.
Good analysis in your post #34.
Prayers for all of them and their loved ones.
Very sad.
Well, it’s not as if Everest hasn’t been scaled before.
Got notice that some of our Wounded Warriors are there. Wife of one has not heard from him yet.
http://www.alanarnette.com/blog/everest/2014-coverage/
Teams involved: Alpine Ascent, Summit Nepal, Himalayan Guides, Beuyl, and 5 from Shangr-la Shangri-la Nepal Trek
Over 100 Sherpas and climbers trapped above avalanche
All climbing stopped on Everest from Nepal side for now.
Route needs to be fixed for stranded Sherpa and climbers to return to EBC
Jon Krakauer is a punk who’s book is nothing more than revisionist history to cover his lack of effort on that day. I know, I was there.
The obtuseness of many here making comments about that which they can’t possibly have any idea about, astounds. True for some it’s all about bagging an 8000 meter peak but for most its so much more. Just because One can’t comprehend it doesn’t make it less of an accomplishment or life changing experience for another.
For me it’s a wholly spiritual experience. My first Himalayan summit was at 23,500 in the shadow of Everest. I fell to my knees, prayed and wept a little. Now and again I get a little teary eyed but that occasion and the premature death of my closest friend from childhood are the only times I wept in 40+ years.
Dead bodies on a climb? Yes, they’re there. I’ve seen many. On most the bones are exposed and bleached a result of the ‘sand blasting’ effects of snow. It’s surreal as you move past them, continuing on where they have perished. You say a prayer and quickly go back to concentrating on the task at hand.
High altitude climbing is the ultimate test of endurance. One must endure pain as well as mental and physiological stress beyond imagination. If you’re happy sitting on a couch eating Bonbons that’s fine by me just keep your comments to yourselves if you can’t wrap your limited minds around a subject. Other’s of us will do the living for you.
You freaking rock! Congratulations!
sherpas need to install an ADA compliant elevator for public safety and to help diversity.
Interesting and welcome comments.
FR isn’t like it used to be, that’s for sure....
And if you die on the mountain, they leave you there.......how sick is that?
Yea, I know, I've heard the arguments "due to the lack of oxygen......yada, yada, yada"
Of course they are, if they can't make it up there on their own then they have no business being up there in the first place.........The only kudos that should be given out are to the Sherpas who have to carry these leaches - at their own peril......
I can't believe you said that..........
Everest is no longer such a risk as evidenced by the outfitters and literally hundreds and hundreds of people who are lining up to "walk" the already rope and laddered secured routes up the mountain.........
To compare the now tourist destination known as Mt. Everest to going to the moon or Mars or exploring the "New World" is a ridiculous comparison. If you've got the bucks, even YOU can make the trip...........
Last year more than 500 climbers reached the summit of Everest. On 19 May around 150 climbed the last 915m to the peak within hours of each other, causing lengthy delays as mountaineers queued to descend or ascend harder sections.
Oh spare me your narcissistic explanation. Everest is nothing more than a rich man's destination eco-trip.
If one has to wait in line behind 100 other tourists to hike up an alreadly roped and laddered trail then it is no longer a significant accomplishment.
You want to impress me? Tell me you climbed a virgin route without outfitter assistance and Sherpas to carry your crap...........
You've raised my curiousity, when exactly was that climb? Who organized it and who led the ascent? And what was your friend's name?
And just as important, what did the trip cost you?
Krakauer has several books out so where exactly were you with Krakauer and when?????
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