The government of Nepal is issuing too many permits to ascend Mt Everest (381 permits this year, a record) and not screening adequately for qualified, experienced climbers who understand the perils and the techniques for climbing at extreme heights.
Eleven deaths in just ten days.
The problem is an extremely narrow period in late May or early June, when the weather clears enough to allow climbing, so all the permitees are crowding the mountain at the same time. At the heights involved, just short of 30,000 feet, there is not enough oxygen and climbers must carry oxygen tanks.
When the congestion is bad and they have to wait for hour, they run out of oxygen and die.
The government of Nepal is facing a chorus of international criticism for its handling this year, and hopefully this will lead to reforms for the future.
Considering where he is, the probability that he will freeze to death or fall from a very high altitude are somewhat reduced, but then there are other possibly hurtful outcomes.
I’m starting to think we’re all victims of some sort of mass hysteria. People are dying in crowds waiting to get to the top of a mountain. People dying while taking a selfie at the edge of a canyon. It bothers me most, about myself, is that when I hear news of this type, my first reaction is not compassion but more often “Are you really that bloody stupid?”
Most of these people who have died were put in an unprecedented situation that they didn’t foresee and were not equipped to deal with it. Many of them simply didn’t recognize how quickly the situation would become life-threatening. By the time they did, it was too late for some of them.
If you need to fit a pressurized aircraft to protect you from the harsh environment that exists at 30,000 feet – why the #%@*$& would you want to WALK to that altitude?
DD Wiz Premium Member almost 5 years ago
The government of Nepal is issuing too many permits to ascend Mt Everest (381 permits this year, a record) and not screening adequately for qualified, experienced climbers who understand the perils and the techniques for climbing at extreme heights.
Eleven deaths in just ten days.
The problem is an extremely narrow period in late May or early June, when the weather clears enough to allow climbing, so all the permitees are crowding the mountain at the same time. At the heights involved, just short of 30,000 feet, there is not enough oxygen and climbers must carry oxygen tanks.
When the congestion is bad and they have to wait for hour, they run out of oxygen and die.
The government of Nepal is facing a chorus of international criticism for its handling this year, and hopefully this will lead to reforms for the future.
Meh~tdology, fka Pepelaputr almost 5 years ago
Do you have to be rich and stupid to get caught in an auto traffic jam?
Certainly, the view sux.
sandpiper almost 5 years ago
Considering where he is, the probability that he will freeze to death or fall from a very high altitude are somewhat reduced, but then there are other possibly hurtful outcomes.
thelordthygod666 almost 5 years ago
I have no sympathy for a well to do egoist that dies trying to cross some “adventure” off their bucket list.
Bookworm almost 5 years ago
I’m starting to think we’re all victims of some sort of mass hysteria. People are dying in crowds waiting to get to the top of a mountain. People dying while taking a selfie at the edge of a canyon. It bothers me most, about myself, is that when I hear news of this type, my first reaction is not compassion but more often “Are you really that bloody stupid?”
Zen-of-Zinfandel almost 5 years ago
That happens every snow often.
Radish the wordsmith almost 5 years ago
Do you think Everest is a Disney experience?
Not the Smartest Man On the Planet -- Maybe Close Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Duh.
Atticus almost 5 years ago
Most of these people who have died were put in an unprecedented situation that they didn’t foresee and were not equipped to deal with it. Many of them simply didn’t recognize how quickly the situation would become life-threatening. By the time they did, it was too late for some of them.
billdaviswords almost 5 years ago
Pretty tasteless to compare a traffic jam to people DYING.
William Bludworth Premium Member almost 5 years ago
If you need to fit a pressurized aircraft to protect you from the harsh environment that exists at 30,000 feet – why the #%@*$& would you want to WALK to that altitude?
Concretionist almost 5 years ago
Like this, but with less air and more deaths.