Posted on 02/18/2015 1:57:24 AM PST by Berlin_Freeper
Nepalese officials said Wednesday they are changing the route that climbers take up Mount Everest after an avalanche killed 16 guides last year, the deadliest accident in the mountain's history, AFP writes..
The new route will take climbers through the centre of the treacherous Khumbu Icefall just above Everest base camp, avoiding the section to the left of the glacier where last year's avalanche occurred.
(Excerpt) Read more at focus-fen.net ...
I don’t have the inclination to climb Everest ever, nor even see it. However there is a morbid fascination in the stories of the people who do and are willing to throw their lives away on that rock. I get it, that’s their thing, but I can’t imagine being so willing to risk a lonely death on the side of freezing rock and having paid good money for the privilege.
Hopefully these sad stories will become more rare, and perhaps they’ll choose vacay at Disney instead? ; )
The real danger on Everest is not so much an avalanche, but the fact the weather can change very quickly into snow-storm conditions.
Very true. I’ve read and watched the accounts of savage weather. Heck, I won’t even live where it snows. These people have some serious guts and/or thrill issues to climb up there when there’s half a chance of bad weather.
Otoh, there’s such a large investment in just getting there I’d say that many are compelled to risk it given they won’t get another chance. Still not worth it IMHO. As far as I’m concerned they are adults and can make up their own minds either way, I just hope they make the right call.
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