[NittanyLion]

From what I've read on K2 and Everest, the people that climb K2 still climb with the same human morals as they always have. I just can't say the same for the majority of the people climbing Everest. Everest has become so commercial, and so over-climbed, that many of the people that are going up there are thinking only of themselves.

My guess is that the majority of people climbing Everest are not capable enough to think of anyone else; they have a hard enough time just getting themselves up and down the mountain (and they paid huge $$$ to summit). I read Into Thin Air a while back...that book speaks to the issue.

[wyattearp]

My guess is that the majority of people climbing Everest are not capable enough to think of anyone else; they have a hard enough time just getting themselves up and down the mountain (and they paid huge $$$ to summit). I read Into Thin Air a while back...that book speaks to the issue.

I think that you're right. I haven't read the book, but I've seen the movie (and others). A buddy of mine has the book, and I get it when he's done.

People are going into an extremely hazardous situation and they don't have the correct tools. Tools being physical strength and technical ability.

Have you seen the picture of Mallory's body on Everest? He's been up there for 80 years, and still has more muscle mass than most of the people climbing today!

[elli1]

After mentioning having read Into Thin Air another Freeper pointed me to Anatoli Boukreev's account of the tragic '96 Everest season, The Climb. After having read it, I consider it a must-read companion to Into Thin Air, esp. given that Kraukauer pretty much trashed Boukreev in ITA.