Re: Climbing Mount Everest: Noble Adventure or Selfish Pursuit?

There are also so many people on that mountain that do not belong there due to physical failings and total lack of experience . Just because you have the money does not mean you are qualified to be on that rock. Sixty-five year old housewives? Get real. This is a classic example of where money trumps safety. Even base camp altitude would do in most of us.

At one point it was about noble adventure, but now it's about ignorant, rich tourists. Obviously there are exceptions, but after watching some modern documentaries on Everest and seeing interviews with the types of people trying to climb it... all I can do is shake my head. Some of the people attempting to summit Everest should no more be trying to do that than I should be attempting brain surgery.

I may go slightly off topic- based on the article here- but it is about the commercialization...

I have spoken to some who have traveled to Nepal (not Everest). They have shown me photos and explained how touristy the general area is getting- i.e. commercialized. I hate to imagine it, but, for me, Everest may seem like a place full of trash, bodies, and all else that humanity leave behind besides- including, literally, crap.

Maybe space flight may like the next big enterpri$e. I sure we can leave our mark there while we commercialize it as well. <sigh>