Into Thin Air

[DaveO]

ianr33 once bubbled...
... lots of people with more money than sense

That was exactly the problem on Everest: the guides all but promised their clients they'd get to the top. Sherpas wound up literally dragging these barely conscious non-climbers to the summit.

Outside mag came down very hard on the climb operators for bowing to the pressure to get get climbers to the top in spite of threatening weather and client ineptitude. After the din died down, though, they continued to run ads for extreme adventure climbs to Everest.

 

[rmediver2002]

I read into thin air first and then later this account by one of the climbing guides on the trip.

After reading both it would seem the later is the more realistic story as it points out bad decisions made by all. I thought ITA seemed one sided.

Both great reads about an awful tragedy...


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...775902?v=glance&s=books&vi=reader#reader-link

Jeff L

 

[Big O]

Jon Krakauer, the author of the book is a writer for Outside magazine. I THINK he was the same person who wrote the article for outside mentioned above that chastized the guided, paid for climbs.

Pick up "Left For Dead", by Beck Weathers. Beck is a survivor of the '96 disaster. Beck was caught up in the storm on his way down after summiting that day. He lost both his hadns to frostbite, and had to have re-constructive sugery on his nose from frostbite.

Another good read which I just finished Saturday is "Extreme Exposure" by David Brashears. He has been a cameraman for such films as "Cliffhanger" and the IMAX movie "EVEREST".
I found a few paragraphs in this book to be a little dull, but the parts about climbing everest were great.

While reading all three of these books, I couldn't help but to compare them with Deep Descent and The Last Dive.

Climbers climbing over their heads, and divers diving on dives over their heads.

I don't know if you guys have read it but The Helldivers Rodeo is another great read about early spearfishing in the gulf on oil riggs. Great Read!

I just purchased a book about some lady and her boyfriend that were sailing around the world and he got thrown overboard and drown while she drifted at sea for about 3 months on a un operable sailboat. Ill give a review when Im finished.

Sorry to be so long winded. still think we need a book review section here !

Dave

 

[bwerb]

climbing (I do both) is that there is no certification at all in climbing. Any bonehead can walk into their local REI with a wad of cash and get outfitted from head to toe in the latest climbing gear. Then you can pay a "guide" to lug your butt up almost any mountain of your choosing.

In diving, (although the debate goes on here daily concerning C-cards and what they really mean in terms of skills development) at least there is a system (largely self policing) of training which is required before you can get your tanks filled. No base level of training, no diving for you!

In the instant gratification society we now live in, some people are able to "pay" their way to "glory" with tragic consequences.

It is also interesting to note as a ski mountaineering aside that with the advent of snowboarding with its extremely steep learning curve (never done it before to expert in a year of serious riding), more and more back-country accidents are occuring as relatively inexperienced (in terms of snow awareness) people leave the groomed runs for big backcountry powder and steeps. In skiing because prior to the advent of shaped skiis etc, it took so long to become really really good, you had a much better situational awareness from having skiied in so many different conditions.

Just goes to show that money can't buy brains, skills or experience.

 

[ScubaTexan]

I've only perused a few pages while in Barnes and Noble, but "Seven Summits" by Rick Ridgeway (sp) looked fascinating.

Big O once bubbled... [
I don't know if you guys have read it but The Helldivers Rodeo is another great read about early spearfishing in the gulf on oil riggs. Great Read![/B]

I saw a documentary on them once. Those Cajuns ain't nuthin' but stone crazy!! :bonk:

 

[WreckWriter]

O-ring once bubbled...

Guided trips like the '96 trip are totally ridiculous. Most of the people up there had no business being on that mountain..

Don't the people have the right to take the risk? If not, why?

WW

 

[O-ring]

WreckWriter once bubbled...


Don't the people have the right to take the risk? If not, why?

WW

Do I have the right to dive the Doria on air with 8 dives under my belt? It is a risk, yes, but what if I was willing. How would you guys feel since I have now jeopardized everyone else's chances to be able to dive it in the future?

 

[WreckWriter]

O-ring once bubbled...
Do I have the right to dive the Doria on air with 8 dives under my belt? It is a risk, yes, but what if I was willing. How would you guys feel since I have now jeopardized everyone else's chances to be able to dive it in the future?

If you have your own boat there's not a thing in the world stopping you from doing so. The only reason you would have trouble getting someone to take you is liability. Liability may very well not apply in Nepal.

WW

 

[cyklon_300]

climbing?....hmmm, there's a business op for somebody...

I can see it now. The PACI Basic Climber cert would allow you to go to 130' altitude, then one could obtain the Advanced Climber, Rescue Climber, Night Climber, Climb Master...etc. etc.

Uncertified types would not be allowed to buy rope.

 

[O-ring]

WreckWriter once bubbled...


If you have your own boat there's not a thing in the world stopping you from doing so. The only reason you would have trouble getting someone to take you is liability. Liability may very well not apply in Nepal.

WW

I see your point. Legality and liability aside, I think it sucks. Here's why. It detracts from the mystique of reaching the pinnacle of one's sport. Paying someone to short-rope your arse up the mountain or guide you down to the Doria is not the same as having the intelligence, skills, and experience to pull it off alone and reap the satisfaction that comes from a challenging accomplishment.

I would think the "explorers" that are guiding this type of stuff would feel that way too, but it looks like allegiance to the almighty dollar has ruined yet another endeavor.