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You do know there are land sharks right, if they don't get you in the ocean well you know.
But seriously, I live to get time on a beach, going there in a couple of weeks from today, but I do sometimes wonder if I and others need our brains checked, especially, when we get to thinking about going way out into the waters and going kayaking with those I hang out with who do so frequently in open waters occupied by sharks and or gators. After viewing these types of videos, I'll take my chances closer to shore with just a dip. As far as climbing mountains, I've never done anything but hiked, no rope required.
I don't think it's for an adrenaline rush, for the serious climbers, the Heinrich Harrer and Edmund Hillary types. I think it's for the pure challenge: it's them against the mountain. Which will win: the mountain or the climber? Oh, the suspense! The struggle! The skill required!
It's about personal challenge and conquest. You know you've achieved something, when you've beat the odds and made it to the peak. (In the old days, when it really was a challenge and rare achievement.) But why once isn't enough, is a question. I don't know why they wouldn't be satisfied, having succeeded once. Why go and climb other mountains? I guess in the old days, the mountaineers would practice on lesser peaks, honing their skills, leaving Everest for their final big challenge.
Yes, I agree that it's the challenge for the pros. Nowadays, the top mountaineers don't consider Everest to be the biggest challenge- not even close. The common route is relatively easy going, with the elevation and subsequent lack of oxygen being the major, and not to be underestimated, obstacle. The other significant hazard is negotiating the ice fall, essentially a gamble because skill has nothing to do with surviving a huge chunk of ice randomly collapsing on climbers. K2, Annapurna, there are other very high peaks now considered much more challenging climbs.
There's an old climber's saying that goes something like this: "If you're not cold, you brought too many clothes, if you're not hungry you brought too much food, if you made the summit it was too easy of a route.."
Per the article that TRosa posted---I agree. It's about the bragging rights. And it's behind done as part of a group of people with professionals to help. It kind of reminds me of a deep sea fishing trip I was (reluctantly) on. There were fishing guides who were really catching and reeling the fish in since the wanna-be fisherman didn't have the strength or experience to do so with the big fish. But the guides would stop for a second so the wanna-be fisherman could take the line for a second for a photo to pretend that they had done and would continue to do all the work. Then they would get the swordfish mounted for their walls to commemorate their achievement!
And it really angers me how some of the climbers were calling the sherpas their "slaves!" First of all, human slavery is nothing to joke about! Secondly, the sherpas don't even fit the definition of salve since they voluntarily choose to do the work and get paid! And why would you want to anger or be dismissive of someone who you are depending on for a good experience/survival? I read where it was just the Americans doing this---it was Italian climbers (the sherpas reportedly threw rocks at their tents to retaliate).
Everest may be nature at its finest. Human nature involved in "conquering" it, not so much.
Last edited by jazzcat22; 06-01-2019 at 05:07 AM..
Per the article that TRosa posted---I agree. It's about the bragging rights. And it's behind done as part of a group of people with professionals to help. It kind of reminds me of a deep sea fishing trip I was (reluctantly) on. There were fishing guides who were really catching and reeling the fish in since the wanna-be fisherman didn't have the strength or experience to do so with the big fish. But the guides would stop for a second so the wanna-be fisherman could take the line for a second for a photo to pretend that they had done and would continue to do all the work. Then they would get the swordfish mounted for their walls to commemorate their achievement!
And it really angers me how some of the climbers were calling the sherpas their "slaves!" First of all, human slavery is nothing to joke about! Secondly, the sherpas don't even fit the definition of salve since they voluntarily choose to do the work and get paid! And why would you want to anger or be dismissive of someone who you are depending on for a good experience/survival? I read where it was just the Americans doing this---it was Italian climbers (the sherpas reportedly threw rocks at their tents to retaliate).
Everest may be nature at its finest. Human nature involved in "conquering" it, not so much.
Per the article that TRosa posted---I agree. It's about the bragging rights. And it's behind done as part of a group of people with professionals to help. It kind of reminds me of a deep sea fishing trip I was (reluctantly) on. There were fishing guides who were really catching and reeling the fish in since the wanna-be fisherman didn't have the strength or experience to do so with the big fish. But the guides would stop for a second so the wanna-be fisherman could take the line for a second for a photo to pretend that they had done and would continue to do all the work. Then they would get the swordfish mounted for their walls to commemorate their achievement!
And it really angers me how some of the climbers were calling the sherpas their "slaves!" First of all, human slavery is nothing to joke about! Secondly, the sherpas don't even fit the definition of salve since they voluntarily choose to do the work and get paid! And why would you want to anger or be dismissive of someone who you are depending on for a good experience/survival? I read where it was just the Americans doing this---it was Italian climbers (the sherpas reportedly threw rocks at their tents to retaliate).
Everest may be nature at its finest. Human nature involved in "conquering" it, not so much.
Yes, I feel the same way about big game hunting. Let the rich guy get out on the Savannah alone and hunt rather than hiring locals to all but lead the animal to him. Even worse the canned hunts, where some rich guy pays $50,000 to shoot a panther that was let out of a cage in front of him. So he can go brag about what a great hunter he is and he bravely bagged a panther.
Yes, I feel the same way about big game hunting. Let the rich guy get out on the Savannah alone and hunt rather than hiring locals to all but lead the animal to him. Even worse the canned hunts, where some rich guy pays $50,000 to shoot a panther that was let out of a cage in front of him. So he can go brag about what a great hunter he is and he bravely bagged a panther.
ITA canned hunts are disgusting. Idiots who are basically hauled up the mountain by the Sherpas, are also idiots. I guess they are fooling themselves with their "great achievements" but not me.
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