Everest in the news again

Looks like they're really having good weather on Everest this month. This is the third famous ascent with Appa Sherpa breaking his own record of maximum ascents bringing it up to 16. This was the second ascent in the news, with Serena Brocklebank, a British diplomat reaching the summit 70 years after her grandfather's failed attempt. The first ascent in the news (well, at least the BBC News) was the one I posted about here.

However, all is not well, since this poor 34-year old Brit didn't quite make it back down after reaching the summit. The article also says that:

On Thursday, 42 people made it to the summit as the Everest season entered its busiest spell.

Damn, the weather must be good.

For all of you out there who know a little about mountaineering, and who've read Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air [which, incidentally, I highly recommend] know the level to which (in terms of commercialism) ascending Everest has descended. They also know that Everest is not the most technically difficult mountain to climb. That dubious honor goes to K2.

K2 is considered to be one of the most dangerous mountains to climb and it has taken many climbers lives. During 1998 and 1999 noone managed to summit the mountain. During 2000 however, over 20 people have made it the top already. The total number or successful ascents of K2 is still less than 200, which can be compared to Mount Everests 241 ascents during 1998 and 1999 alone.

This is, of course, not to diminish the achievement of the Everest summit-reachers in any way. Everest not being as technically challenging as K2 does not imply that it is not technically challenging in itself. My point is that Everest has a certain glamour surrounding it which makes reaching the summit something which is not only in great demand, but also highly demanding. Climbing is a serious business and I just hope that those who climb (and particularly those who lead) fully understand the serious aspects of it before they get into the business aspects.

In the mood for word-play this afternoon, I guess...