Jeez, how long do you get to take your selfie at the top with bloody impatient people wanting their turn!

Now if they'd just put in an escalator (suitable for all weathers of course) going up, and another one coming down (of course), there'd be no more problem.

And apparently because there are lots of inexperienced climbers, there were more deaths on that queue in the last week than the whole last year.

Woah!! That's intense.

You're right - really takes away from the uniqueness and wonder associated with traversing the highest peak on earth.

I mean I do not mean to belittle anyone who has had the stamina to undertake this journey, but if I was made aware just how busy the peak was, and had 30+k to spend on an adventure I would 100% be looking elsewhere.

Goodness knows how much rubbish and damage etc all those travelers are doing to the mountain as well, little wonder they're looking at initiatives to help remove rubbish.

That's quite a story. I would probably still be looking for Peter. Or maybe it would be St Peter.

It makes me a little sad to see in some ways, but then I am unsure what you could do differently. 

I guess it feels in contrast to the climbers who went up with less gear, I guess described as doing it the hard way, compared to the way it's done now. 

As for people worried about damaging the mountain, it's made of rock! Litter should be removed obviously. 

I've never felt the inclination though my FIL is/was an avid rock climber with a huge list of significant climbs under his belt. Sadly, he was significantly injured paraponting and will never climb Everest in his state (though he has still biked more distance than I've driven). 

Is there another recreational activity where it's inevitable and deemed okay - as "the only practical option under the circumstances" - to step past the dying and the visible preserved corpses of those who've failed?

For example green boots and Fran the Sleeping Beauty.

Rikkitic:

 

That's quite a story. I would probably still be looking for Peter. Or maybe it would be St Peter.

 

 

 

It made me glad I paid some attention in my schoolboy French lessons..! The problem is not so much the vocab as being able to think in two languages. Of course, down here in NZ I get precious little opportunity to practice French, sadly. I read it better than I speak it, really. I am afraid the complexities and nuances of masculine vs feminine words and so on is all lost now, as is much of the correct grammar I expect. I can get along adequately if need be, but I certainly won't be claiming competence, much less fluency!

insane: Surely they could limit the number of climbers on the mountain at any given time through 'tickets' or similar. (Yes I know there are two routes up through different jurisdictions)

I'd be so upset if I did all the training to climb that sucker and not be able to enjoy it. I'd rather be given a date or window of when I could climb and know you don't get into that deadly situation. By making it scare they could potentially charge more for better weather spots and finally make some money for the poor locals who get cents per KG of gear they lud up the mountain.

The trouble is that Everest tourism is a major earner for Nepal. They don't want to limit it too much as it would hurt their economy. If the increase the price of tickets it will shut out serious mountaineers, and make Everest exclusivley for rich tourists being dragged up. If a ticket is only valid for a certain window it will lead to climbers taking a risk on a summit attempt as poor weather closes in and their window is running out.

Varkk:

 

insane: Surely they could limit the number of climbers on the mountain at any given time through 'tickets' or similar. (Yes I know there are two routes up through different jurisdictions)

I'd be so upset if I did all the training to climb that sucker and not be able to enjoy it. I'd rather be given a date or window of when I could climb and know you don't get into that deadly situation. By making it scare they could potentially charge more for better weather spots and finally make some money for the poor locals who get cents per KG of gear they lud up the mountain.

 

 

 

The trouble is that Everest tourism is a major earner for Nepal. They don't want to limit it too much as it would hurt their economy. If the increase the price of tickets it will shut out serious mountaineers, and make Everest exclusivley for rich tourists being dragged up. If a ticket is only valid for a certain window it will lead to climbers taking a risk on a summit attempt as poor weather closes in and their window is running out.

 

Great points. I had something similar half written but got distracted.

Fred99:

 

Is there another recreational activity where it's inevitable and deemed okay - as "the only practical option under the circumstances" - to step past the dying and the visible preserved corpses of those who've failed?

 

After some thought, I think Isle of Man TT racing is similar. Every year or so, someone dies in a crash, but the racing goes on. I guess that the other riders probably wouldn't actually see the corpse, but they would no doubt see the debris and know that yet another of their friends is gone. I think it's about the same level of commitment; at 200mph on a bucking, sliding, jumping motorcycle on narrow roads with stone walls, you're very much in the Death Zone.

I think free-diving, where to get as deep as possible on one breath you have to plan to get back to the surface as near to comatose as possible, also has that level of commitment. But I guess you don't swim down past the failures.