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Project Possible: Ascending 14 peaks in 7 months

nimsdai.com

31–40 of 59 posts

Re: Project Possible: Ascending 14 peaks in 7 months

#31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Someone else will be able to give a scientific explanation, but the sun is just different at heights. I used to have famiy both in La Paz and Quito and just 15 days in one of those places -- dressed for cold --made me as brown as two months going to the beach in coastal Brazil.

Less atmosphere to absorb UV

[deleted]

Re: Project Possible: Ascending 14 peaks in 7 months

#32
post #2

Kristin Harila of Norway is attempting to beat this record this year. She has just 3 remaining. https://explorersweb.com/gasherbrum-i-summits-keep-speed-rec...

So the takeaway from Nims' story is lost; the sherpas' names are hidden from view behind the name of a foreign figurehead.

Re: Project Possible: Ascending 14 peaks in 7 months

#33
post #2

Kristin Harila of Norway is attempting to beat this record this year. She has just 3 remaining. https://explorersweb.com/gasherbrum-i-summits-keep-speed-rec...

So the takeaway from Nims' story is lost; the sherpas' names are hidden from view behind the name of a foreign figurehead.

Rich Westerners doing rich people stuff. I hope this coming economic crisis will put at least a temporary hold to all this craziness of more and more people trying to ascend those mountains and, in so doing, leaving lots of trash behind them, but I have my doubts.

Re: Project Possible: Ascending 14 peaks in 7 months

#34
Along with Nim's fantastic movie on Netflix, Id recommend this youtube video for a sense of what its like to climb K2: https://youtu.be/l-dMVvvIt8M One of my favorites after watching ALOT of this stuff during Covid at home time, shows the beauty, the danger, and the actual climbing really well. And all the while watching these, remember to ask yourself "who put those ropes there and how?"

Re: Project Possible: Ascending 14 peaks in 7 months

#35

There’s another famous 14, but at 14k feet, the Nolans 14 in Colorado: http://mattmahoney.net/nolans14/

Cool stuff and I may actually attempt some of these myself - that being said 14k feet is a whole different ballgame compared to the 8000m peaks (26,000 ft). Generally 4000m peaks are considered the amateur mountaineering ones, 6000m intermediate and still super respectable, and 8000m the elite.

Altitude is definitely a challenge, but I don't agree that peaks below 4000 m are amateur mountaineering and elite is reserved for 8000ers. As an example, Marc-André Leclerc made some incredible first solo ascents below 4000 m like the Corkscrew on Cerro Torre, at 3128 m (10,262 ft). The Alpinist [1] is worth watching if you are into mountaineering!

1: https://m.imdb.com/title/tt11790780/

Re: Project Possible: Ascending 14 peaks in 7 months

#36
post #27
post #24

A question - how difficult is to climb Cho Oyu? Climbing one 8,000er is on my bucket list and from the research I did it looks like Cho Oyu might be the most accessible one - how does it compare to other mountains/sports wrt its difficulty? Also, is it a good idea to get a megadose of vitamin B1 before entering the death zone in order to offset the lack of oxygen? B1 is known to help prevent/treat HAPE and seems to h…

I don't have personal experience beyond 6K meter peaks but Cho Oyu seems to be regarded as probably the "starter" 8K meter peak. That said, any 8K meter peak is still incredibly challenging for most people even on a well-supported climb. Don't believe the sherpas basically carry you up narrative. Even ~6K meter peaks are pretty challenging. I've been up a few in that general range (Nepal, Ecuador, Russia)--some are m…

You can drive on paved roads in the US to 4,200m so it may be possible to find someplace nearby you can walk the rest of the way.

Re: Project Possible: Ascending 14 peaks in 7 months

#37
post #36
post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't have personal experience beyond 6K meter peaks but Cho Oyu seems to be regarded as probably the "starter" 8K meter peak. That said, any 8K meter peak is still incredibly challenging for most people even on a well-supported climb. Don't believe the sherpas basically carry you up narrative. Even ~6K meter peaks are pretty challenging. I've been up a few in that general range (Nepal, Ecuador, Russia)--some are m…

You can drive on paved roads in the US to 4,200m so it may be possible to find someplace nearby you can walk the rest of the way.

The paved road up Mount Evans in Colorado does reach that high, but there just isn't higher stuff to hike to. The highest peak in Colorado is 4401m.

Re: Project Possible: Ascending 14 peaks in 7 months

#39

Amazing accomplishment aside, I listened to him on Rogan and found him to be incredibly arrogant and self absorbed.

I'm fairly active on /r/mountaineering, and the opinion of him isn't very high on there. He's an impressive dude for sure, but his ego has really gone to his head.

Re: Project Possible: Ascending 14 peaks in 7 months

#40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Cool stuff and I may actually attempt some of these myself - that being said 14k feet is a whole different ballgame compared to the 8000m peaks (26,000 ft). Generally 4000m peaks are considered the amateur mountaineering ones, 6000m intermediate and still super respectable, and 8000m the elite.

Altitude is definitely a challenge, but I don't agree that peaks below 4000 m are amateur mountaineering and elite is reserved for 8000ers. As an example, Marc-André Leclerc made some incredible first solo ascents below 4000 m like the Corkscrew on Cerro Torre, at 3128 m (10,262 ft). The Alpinist [1] is worth watching if you are into mountaineering! 1: https://m.imdb.com/title/tt11790780/

Difficult climbs are a different challenge to altitude. It's climbing vs mountaineering.

For example I believe Cho Oyu (8188m) has few if any technical climbing sections - you basically walk up. That's a very different challenge to a technical climbing. Have a look at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grade_(climbing) for more info.

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