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Nepal bans solo climbers from Mount Everest

bbc.co.uk

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Re: Nepal bans solo climbers from Mount Everest

#2

Post by harigov »

As someone with some mountaineering experience in North America, I am really surprised to hear that they ever allowed this in the first place. Of course, one could argue that govt shouldn't have any power over what an individual can do, but the same people who argue for that liberty also ask govt to go search when someone goes missing in the mountains. And you can only search for so many people. I think it is reasonable to expect that those who plan to climb such scary mountains find someone to accompany them.

Re: Nepal bans solo climbers from Mount Everest

#3

Post by cyberferret »

I can understand a persons willingness to 'push the envelope' and stretch themselves to reach their goals, but I am always mystified by the seeming lack of understanding by those who try and tackle Everest when they are not at peak climbing ability. In almost every case, it is the local Sherpas who will have to then risk their own lives to undertake a rescue or recovery operation if you don't make it.

Plus, I would hate to think that you would become just a nameless waypoint or turning marker on the way to the summit, much as poor 'Green Boots' and others have become. (though I believe 'Green Boots' has been removed now?)

EDIT: It appears that 'Green Boots' is still on the mountain, and has not been removed as previously thought. [0]

[0] - http://www.alanarnette.com/blog/2017/05/27/everest-2017-week...

Re: Nepal bans solo climbers from Mount Everest

#5

Post by ceejayoz »

basicplus2 wrote: post #4

Why ban solo climbing? If an idiot wants to do something stupid, why interfere with natural selection? And why waste money looking for them?

If nothing else, I'd imagine it's nicer for everyone else not to have to step over a pile of dead bodies to get up the mountain.

Re: Nepal bans solo climbers from Mount Everest

#6

Post by ansible »

ceejayoz wrote: post #5
basicplus2 wrote: post #4

Why ban solo climbing? If an idiot wants to do something stupid, why interfere with natural selection? And why waste money looking for them?

If nothing else, I'd imagine it's nicer for everyone else not to have to step over a pile of dead bodies to get up the mountain.

There's already more than a few bodies up there now. Some are a little famous, like the green boots guy. The bodies can't be removed.

It's such an extreme environment. You can't really rescue people who are in trouble. At best, with multiple climbers, you can have someone else tell you that you shouldn't proceed, which might save your life.

But if someone is already in trouble, you can't really help out, or you will die too. Sure, if you have an extra energy bar, you can give that to your buddy, but that's about it.

Re: Nepal bans solo climbers from Mount Everest

#7

Post by look_lookatme »

basicplus2 wrote: post #4

Why ban solo climbing? If an idiot wants to do something stupid, why interfere with natural selection? And why waste money looking for them?

I haven’t read the current rationale but one thing I’ve read is that Everest is _crowded_. This is OK when everything is moving along ok, but when something goes wrong it can be catastrophic for the climbers in front and behind you. I imagine it’s likely that solo climbers have higher incidents of accidents on Everest than group climbers.

As far as why waste money.. if you are asking that question in earnest there’s probably not a rationale that could convince you as to why. So I’ll abstain.

Re: Nepal bans solo climbers from Mount Everest

#8

Post by osrec »

Everest is an absolute beast of a climb. Even with preparation and a full team, lives can be (and have been) lost. Going it alone, while remarkable, is extremely deadly and Nepal is doing the responsible thing by banning such endeavours. For other teams of climbers also, it's one of the more sinister (and perhaps annoying) things - when you're doing well on your climb, but your good nature makes you abort your effort for some random twit alone and in trouble halfway up a mountain.
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