Everest Thread

[professerr]

I used to do alot of backpacking/climbing when i was in college... But, it was mostly just to wrangle some tail from the local co-eds. I am embarrassed to admit that. Otherwise, i just cant get into it.

Obviously, you're not embarrassed.

You do realize that this is the internet, that some women ride bikes, and some women have computers. Maybe they are your sister, daughter, mom. Maybe me? Speak freely, please, but please also consider that your audience might not be who you imagine. Sorry to single you out among the many, but today was a bad day for me on this stuff and the "how u doin'?" background noise of this place wears on me sometimes. My questions are rhetorical, and hopefully this won't lead to a lock down of a very interesting thread.

[sonny]

[...] You do realize that this is the internet, that some women ride bikes, and some women have computers. Maybe they are your sister, daughter, mom. Maybe me? Speak freely, please, but please also consider that your audience might not be who you imagine. Sorry to single you out among the many, but today was a bad day for me on this stuff and the "how u doin'?" background noise of this place wears on me sometimes. My questions are rhetorical, and hopefully this won't lead to a lock down of a very interesting thread.

^^^^^ class act
i am guilty of this male gaze shit sometimes too
i want to talk about this more
will create thread tonite or tomorrow--mickey recently had a good link to include and get our gears turnin
this place is a microcosm and cultivated equity is what we we all want

awareness is everything atmo

carry on

[Matthew Strongin]

If its the same Discovery channel show I'm thinking of, the outfit they followed was HIMEX, which withdrew their expeditions this year.

Yep, that's the one. Had some interesting characters on the expedition.

[rowdyhillrambler]

Guilty as charged.. And actually, that was kind of a serious statement. No worries singling me out, i am a grown man/boy and can handle compliments and criticisms.. Either way, when i was 20 that is exactly how i felt.. I do not apologize for that, although i may not feel that way now, in retrospect it was...

Obviously, you're not embarrassed.

You do realize that this is the internet, that some women ride bikes, and some women have computers. Maybe they are your sister, daughter, mom. Maybe me? Speak freely, please, but please also consider that your audience might not be who you imagine. Sorry to single you out among the many, but today was a bad day for me on this stuff and the "how u doin'?" background noise of this place wears on me sometimes. My questions are rhetorical, and hopefully this won't lead to a lock down of a very interesting thread.

[chasea]

This is a bit heavy handed, no?

Dude said he hiked and climbed to impress girls and maybe get laid in college. He didn't express a particular love for the activity, but neither did he claim to take advantage of anyone.

We all try to impress others. Yes, sometimes to get laid. Hell, sometimes that turns into love or even a family.

He was in his late teens for cryin' out loud. Anythingis a sex object to a teenager.

If you have teenage kids, I'm sure thy know the difference between right and wrong. Just know they're probably thinking the most fucked-up shit. Just like you did. Its a developmental period. In this regard, what Rowdy said was practically PG.

We should perhaps know when to cut each other some slack.

There's a lesson.

[Human Epic Jolt]

We should perhaps know when to cut each other some slack.

how much slack do you want?

[chasea]

how much slack do you want?

Meh. I'll take my hits.

[Human Epic Jolt]

Meh. I'll take my hits.

come on... give me a clue...

[rowdyhillrambler]

It was mutual, but maybe not mutually beneficial.. I do not think that trying to impress a girl is sexist. If so anyone whoever went on a date was a sexist. I will take the rest of this over to the is sexism ineherent thread.. I still think climbing Everest is so '95.

[Nierman]

fwiw

I saw no reason to call out RHR for his (assuming he's a he) comments. Now had he boasted about Himalayin' each of the girls, or conquering and naming their peaks, or night movin' in their tight pants, points hollerin' out like the Dolomites, then maybe.

Back on topic. Mountains are cool because they're there. I love studying their geology when hiking and why that rock there happened to get there. I don't necessarily get a thrill to stand on top of one as I do the journey up and down. Maybe because I contracted Sisyphus back in my wilder days.

[sonny]

appropriate

tumblr_maq2y5Fv831r75avuo1_500.png

from xkcd http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum...ics-24194.html

[vertical_doug]

Snow pack keeps melting and it just will get worse.
EpicTV | Avalanche on Manaslu: Glen Plake Alive, Rémy Lécluse & Greg Costa Missing - EpicTV

International Mountain Guides - Ashford, Washington - Sports & Recreation | Facebook

[jitahs]

God forbid someone express themselves honestly rather than PC here; way to neuter one of the few wits.

I wonder if the Kathmandu World Herald publishes the names and life stories of the many sherpas who have died schlepping the North Face-clad Richard Branson wannabees (Lance is still retired, right?) up a slippery slope.

If you're rich enough you can buy a life to save your own.

[curtisvill]

In 1992 my dad went to Alaska to try and Summit Mt Denali. While he was there he came down with a stomach bug and had to be medi-vaced off the mountain. His climbing companion and good friend stayed to try and summit.

We had dinner with his friend when he returned, his lips and face were recovering from frostbite and he had lost a portion of one toe and finger. He told the story of the team's descent during a terrible blizzard. They were roped in and he could not go any further so he sat down. The guide came back and said he had two choices, he could get up and continue or sit there and die. Thirteen people died during that blizzard on Denali, it was the single deadliest year on the mountain. He has given up mountaineering.

My father tried Aconcagua twice after Denali but both times the team had to turn around at high camp before they could make the summit due to weather. I have read my father's journal from when he was stuck at high camp. They could not descend, with 80+ mile per hour winds for four days the last time they had to wait it out. He could hear the wind coming down the mountain, said it sounded like a freight train, they would brace themselves fearful they were going to get blown off the mountain. He wrote his goodbyes to my mom, sister, and I. He thought he was not going to make it home. He has since given up mountaineering of that magnitude.

With stories like that so close to home, I don't think it is my thing.

John

[Mabouya]

I'm no psychiatrist or anything like that, but clearly (IMO) climbers are a combination of thrill-seeker + super goal driven. What I find interesting is that it's a completely arbitrary goal, but it's important enough that even in the face of supreme physical hardship and danger they will continue to pursue it, some unable to stop until they're literally dead tired.