P1 Featherskill writes:
The recent tragedy on Mt. Everest has rekindled my fascination with man’s attempt to reach the highest point on Earth. What used to be a rare feat has now become somewhat commonplace. For around $50,000, Sir Edmund Hillary wannabe’s can hire a guide and make the trek up to Jesus’ apex. Each year around 1000 people attempt to climb Everest. Of those, about 150 people reach the summit, and at least 5 will die. What’s really creepy is that many of the victims don’t die on the way up, they die on the way down. Imagine that; one moment you’re literally on top of the world. The next moment, you’re out of oxygen and succumbing to cerebral edema.
Due to the high altitude, retrieving bodies in the “death zone” above 8000 meters is nearly impossible. If you die on Everest, you tend to stay on Everest. Although efforts are being made to clean up the mountain, there are still an estimated 200 bodies littered about the area. Some of which are used as guide markers on the way up, as is the case with “Green Boots,” a climber who gave in to the elements and laid down in what became his final resting place.
Be warned that the links below contain graphic, but captivating, content.
Now thats good stuff…… I admire these climbers…. but is it worth it?
I have climbed and I am gay.. I mean blind
Now that’s funny.
Gordo you should check out the Discovery series ‘Everest: Beyond the Limit’ it follows an expedition up Everest each season for it’s 3 year run (it follows Russel Brice who took some heat earlier this year for canceling his expedition due to poor conditions.) The first 2 seasons they are on the North face but on the 3rd they move to the South face and you get to see many of the places described in ‘Into Thin Air’.
Seeing those pics and reading about the hardships of mountain climbing makes you really respect what Gandalf and the gang went through when they decided to take the pass over the mountain vs taking the mines under the mountaint. Too bad the mountain won again and they were indeed forced to go into the mountaint in the end.
If “green boots” had known that his green boots were to be used as a marker and mountain folk lore…..would he still have wore green boots?
The ponder…..
ooh. Good one.
Those are some awesome green boots. They look like about a 10 1/2, which is my size and the color is a perfect match with my beanie. Would someone let me know if they turn up on ebay?
Reminded of Jon Krakauer’s “Into Thin Air” and the tragedy in May 1996.
[...] Stay Hard, Green Boots. (gordonkeith.wordpress.com) [...]
I’m sexually attracted to snow.
Green Boots WILL stay hard— Frozen stiff, for the rest of existence.
What? Everyone was thinking it, someone had to say it.
Everyone else got the joke the first time, when Gordon made it.
Probly too soon.
Yeah, baby. I’d hit that! Oh, sorry. Wrong story.
Um, Green Boots is certainly…um…
The ultimate in cryogenic preservation. Climb Everest and get thawed out when global warming comes about in next century or two.
The comment on the death zone being over 8,000 feet probably meant to say 8,000 meters (26,000+ ft). 8,000 feet is like the altitude of Santa Fe. Every building there is made out of adobe. Fun fact. Anyway, Internet Pedant signing off…..
You’re absolutely right. Thanks for the correction.
Were color boots was SMU Crane Guy wearing?
I’d like to cremate green boots and sprinkle his ashes on George’s spaghetti
Anus.
In other news, them’s some potty-mouthed commenters on that Sometimes Interesting feature. Hoo-boy.
So there are dead bodies everywhere on everest….I wonder @ what temperature lube freezes?
Mike MR McDermott
I’m so happy to know a little more about people who have too much money and too little sense and their adventures on Mt. Doom. Thank you to Featherskill and Gordo.
P-nus.
Gordo, your website makes my browser crash.