Two men are trying to become the first person to cross Antarctica alone • Hacker News Board

Re: Two men are trying to become the first person to cross Antarctica alone

#41

Post by ryanwaggoner » Mon, Nov 12, 2018, 8:53 PM UTC

mattmanser wrote: post #29

pen2l wrote: post #3

I just find it really inspiring to know we have the presence of such adventurous explorers. Once we find ways to travel to other stars, we'll need these men to explore once again.

Inspiring? Having watched Everest and read Cold: Extreme Adventures at the Lowest Temperatures on Earth my view has changed to that these people are selfish glory seekers who can potentially cause a lot of grief and heartache for the people they leave behind when they screw up. As well as huge expense for rescue operations (which then put other people's life at risk). I sort of understand your pov, but in this day an…

Rescue operations and environmental impact, I see your point. Don't agree, but it's a valid point.

But the point about the grief and heartache for those left behind could be said for anyone who does anything risky. Nothing more dangerous than a gentle stroll unless you're a single childless orphan?

Re: Two men are trying to become the first person to cross Antarctica alone

#42

Post by jniedrauer » Mon, Nov 12, 2018, 8:56 PM UTC

jshevek wrote: post #25

jniedrauer wrote: post #19

The closest I've ever come to getting a glimpse of what these two are going through is a 1100 mile trek through the Appalachian mountains one winter. It was fun, but I don't think I ever want to do that again. When the temperature drops below about 0* F, there are only two things you can do: Move, or get in your sleeping bag. After a couple months of 14 hours a day alone in the frigid darkness, you start to lose your…

Hiking and camping in cold weather can be an extremely effective weight loss strategy. If done with good nutrition, enough sleep, proper gear, it can even be a healthy weight loss strategy. I'm surprised no one seems to ever discuss this, with so much of our culture seemingly obsessed with losing weight.

It's stunning to me just how many calories moving over land in cold weather takes. Once you cross ~20 miles/day, especially on snow or ice, it becomes practically impossible to maintain your weight. 7000+ kilocalories a day, vaporized into raw thermal and kinetic energy.

Re: Two men are trying to become the first person to cross Antarctica alone

#43

Post by tomcooks » Mon, Nov 12, 2018, 8:57 PM UTC

gist wrote: post #32

The way I think I have no clue why people take risks like this other than for the obvious fame and fortune. Just the way I am it seems to be either narcissistic or foolish. I am sure others spur them on because what is not to like about being the friend of someone who does something where you don't suffer any large downside (other than you lose them as a friend). Also there always seems to be a bit of 'watch car raci…

I don't understand the downvotes you're getting.

It might not be as narcissistic as it seems to you: I have been embarking on a couple of adventures, certainly not even close to this Antacrtica crossing, yet my unassisted trips were seen as some as a egoist, narcissistic showoff thing to do. I got a lot of people telling me they assumed I was doing it for likes and follows, only my close friends understood that there's something deep inside you that tells you to go and explore; not for fame, which is shortlived, but for your own good. Without The Life you're struggling, trying to cope with civilization and routine while they eat you from the inside.

More than the "car crash" thing that you mention,I believe people are interested in witnessing success, and happiness. On top of that add the whole "fuck you i'm going" pornography, quitting everything and embarking on a solo trip seems to be a common secret dream that people working 9-5 hide deep inside of their heart.

Re: Two men are trying to become the first person to cross Antarctica alone

#44

Post by imesh » Mon, Nov 12, 2018, 8:57 PM UTC

jshevek wrote: post #25

jniedrauer wrote: post #19

The closest I've ever come to getting a glimpse of what these two are going through is a 1100 mile trek through the Appalachian mountains one winter. It was fun, but I don't think I ever want to do that again. When the temperature drops below about 0* F, there are only two things you can do: Move, or get in your sleeping bag. After a couple months of 14 hours a day alone in the frigid darkness, you start to lose your…

Hiking and camping in cold weather can be an extremely effective weight loss strategy. If done with good nutrition, enough sleep, proper gear, it can even be a healthy weight loss strategy. I'm surprised no one seems to ever discuss this, with so much of our culture seemingly obsessed with losing weight.

If you need to be hiking all day for months to lose weight, you are ptobably going to gain it all back once you stop.

Re: Two men are trying to become the first person to cross Antarctica alone

#45

Post by matz1 » Mon, Nov 12, 2018, 9:03 PM UTC

gist wrote: post #32

The way I think I have no clue why people take risks like this other than for the obvious fame and fortune. Just the way I am it seems to be either narcissistic or foolish. I am sure others spur them on because what is not to like about being the friend of someone who does something where you don't suffer any large downside (other than you lose them as a friend). Also there always seems to be a bit of 'watch car raci…

Because everyone different. To you it might be narcissistic or foolish but for him obviously it is highly important and meaningful.

Re: Two men are trying to become the first person to cross Antarctica alone

#46

Post by megy » Mon, Nov 12, 2018, 9:22 PM UTC

jshevek wrote: post #25

jniedrauer wrote: post #19

The closest I've ever come to getting a glimpse of what these two are going through is a 1100 mile trek through the Appalachian mountains one winter. It was fun, but I don't think I ever want to do that again. When the temperature drops below about 0* F, there are only two things you can do: Move, or get in your sleeping bag. After a couple months of 14 hours a day alone in the frigid darkness, you start to lose your…

Hiking and camping in cold weather can be an extremely effective weight loss strategy. If done with good nutrition, enough sleep, proper gear, it can even be a healthy weight loss strategy. I'm surprised no one seems to ever discuss this, with so much of our culture seemingly obsessed with losing weight.

Going on a multi-day hike is just not feasible for most people.

Re: Two men are trying to become the first person to cross Antarctica alone

#47

Post by ghaff » Mon, Nov 12, 2018, 9:32 PM UTC

megy wrote: post #46

jshevek wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hiking and camping in cold weather can be an extremely effective weight loss strategy. If done with good nutrition, enough sleep, proper gear, it can even be a healthy weight loss strategy. I'm surprised no one seems to ever discuss this, with so much of our culture seemingly obsessed with losing weight.

Going on a multi-day hike is just not feasible for most people.

In winter conditions? That's probably true. Most people don't have the gear or know how to use it. I'm less convinced that at least a lot of people couldn't do a multi-day hike in decent weather if they wanted to.

Re: Two men are trying to become the first person to cross Antarctica alone

#48

Post by oh_sigh » Mon, Nov 12, 2018, 9:38 PM UTC

jshevek wrote: post #25

jniedrauer wrote: post #19

The closest I've ever come to getting a glimpse of what these two are going through is a 1100 mile trek through the Appalachian mountains one winter. It was fun, but I don't think I ever want to do that again. When the temperature drops below about 0* F, there are only two things you can do: Move, or get in your sleeping bag. After a couple months of 14 hours a day alone in the frigid darkness, you start to lose your…

Hiking and camping in cold weather can be an extremely effective weight loss strategy. If done with good nutrition, enough sleep, proper gear, it can even be a healthy weight loss strategy. I'm surprised no one seems to ever discuss this, with so much of our culture seemingly obsessed with losing weight.

People would need to go camping for weeks on end which most of the population is not interested in or able to do because of external obligations.

Re: Two men are trying to become the first person to cross Antarctica alone

#49

Post by watwut » Mon, Nov 12, 2018, 9:46 PM UTC

jshevek wrote: post #25

jniedrauer wrote: post #19

The closest I've ever come to getting a glimpse of what these two are going through is a 1100 mile trek through the Appalachian mountains one winter. It was fun, but I don't think I ever want to do that again. When the temperature drops below about 0* F, there are only two things you can do: Move, or get in your sleeping bag. After a couple months of 14 hours a day alone in the frigid darkness, you start to lose your…

Hiking and camping in cold weather can be an extremely effective weight loss strategy. If done with good nutrition, enough sleep, proper gear, it can even be a healthy weight loss strategy. I'm surprised no one seems to ever discuss this, with so much of our culture seemingly obsessed with losing weight.

Probably two reasons for that:

1.) Unless you change livestyle after, it would work the same way as diet - meaning your chance to bounce back to previous weight would be very high.

2.) It would likely lead to many rescue needs. You need to know what you are doing and you need to be reasonably fit before you attempt it. Else you end up in situation where you cant continue due to lack of strength, being frozen and hurt by cold. Whether getting sick or frostbite.

Specifically, in the mountains in the winter every year multiple people dies because he underestimates the situation or lack knowledge. Yes it can be done safely, but you need to know what you are doing.

Re: Two men are trying to become the first person to cross Antarctica alone

#50

Post by watwut » Mon, Nov 12, 2018, 9:47 PM UTC

ghaff wrote: post #47

megy wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Going on a multi-day hike is just not feasible for most people.

In winter conditions? That's probably true. Most people don't have the gear or know how to use it. I'm less convinced that at least a lot of people couldn't do a multi-day hike in decent weather if they wanted to.

Much better order is to loose weight first, train a bit to gain endurance, then try some one-day hikes and only then try multi day hike.