So, I totally escalated a simple statement at work this morning

My coworker asks me if I might know what it would cost to hike Mount Everest
No I don't
That's when she responds, about $1,500 plus the cost of airfare to that part of the world...and adds that she and another coworker are contemplating making this trip
💭 🤔
I immediately declare that I will join them, and then I went around recruiting others 💪

Will I go?
Maybe.
Would I want to go with them?
Sure.
Do I want to hike Everest.
Hell yeah I do
I love a strong challenge

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OlderSometimesWiser · F

If she can’t even accurately calculate the cost of the trip, she might want to reconsider attempting to scale tall, tall mountains.

Ugh, and I’ve heard that Everest has become a heavily populated, heavily littered tourist trap. I was fortunate enough to visit the Great Wall of China years ago. But quite dismayed to see a KFC at its base. That kinda thing. 🙄

Ynotisay · M

@OlderSometimesWiser Not sure I'd say it's a tourist trap. But what has happened is a lack of control over who climbs because....money.

OlderSometimesWiser · F

@Ynotisay True enough. I’ve just seen so many documentaries on the climbers and things are looking more depressing than inspiring. And yes, those having the money looking more like they’re trying to make a “fashion statement” than pursuing an admirable endeavor.

Ynotisay · M

@OlderSometimesWiser It's been a big controversy for a while. And it's even worse given that it's Sherpas who die most frequently. A lot of people now have little to no real mountaineering experience. If they made it a requirement that climbers had to carry most all of their own gear, or set their own lines, I bet you'd see a 90% reduction in climbers.

OlderSometimesWiser · F

@Ynotisay That would be great but it would also mean a 90% reduction in money and sadly, I think we both know which side is likely to win. It’s just so sad to see something so worthwhile, so admirable, so downright awesome go the way of the Kardashians.

Ynotisay · M

@OlderSometimesWiser Yep. Money. But not everyone is inexperienced. There's still skilled mountaineers, who live to climb, going up. But it's the wealthier people driven by ego, which can be the kiss of death in the mountains, that's the issue. And it's not necessarily their own death or injury.
But where it gets tricky is with the Sherpa people. Guides can make more in a few months than most make in Nepal in a year. And where they live $5-10K is huge money. Take that away now and lives are impacted.
What I do on occasion is buy outdoor clothes from a company called Sherpa Adventure Gear. It's a Sherpa company and most of the money goes back in to the community. Typically through education. And they make some good stuff.
I think that eventually they will need to set quotas on climbers. But what it will take is another major accident due to bottle necking before it happens. Once tourist climbers start dying in big numbers because there's just too many people on the mountain, they'll have to do something.