Advantages and Disadvantages of High Altitude Mountain Climbing What Price Victory? Advantages and Disadvantages of High Altitude Mountain Climbing
Advantages/Victories
Fame & Fortune Member of an elite club Few have actually reached the top
Personal Satisfaction Achieve a goal Overcoming an obstacle Pride in achieving a goal or just trying is enough Pushing oneself to the outer limits of one’s abilities Adrenaline rush or ego trip Setting world’s records Bragging Rights—accomplish something few have done Thrill & excitement + fun The view from the Top of the World above the clouds (29, 035 feet)
Gain Scientific Information Predict earthquakes Predict avalanches Study the effects of altitude on the body Geographic information, plate tectonics How tall? Is the mountain growing? Geological information, prehistoric rocks
Business Opportunities Climbing business—costs $60,000 - $100,000 per person Improve the life of the Sherpas Film & books, public speaking
**Without risk society would not grow & develop. For example: Westward expansion Advances in medicine Advances in technology
Disadvantages/Price Paid
Death Die on the mountain, become part of it Currently over 200 bodies are entombed on Mount Everest
The Risk of Serious/Permanent Injuries Frostbite = amputation (Beck Weathers, Makalu Gao, Maurice Herzog, Louis Lachenal) Hypothermia Snow Blindness Acute Mountain Sickness Often fatal Swelling of the brain Swelling of the lungs = fluid = drowning Rib cracking cough Congestive Heart Failure
Mental Anguish Survivor’s Guilt Depression Lasting psychological problems Stress on family Divorce Loss of a spouse or loved one Jealousy & Resentment
Financial Risk The price of $60,000 - $100,000 & no refund if you don’t summit Medical expenses (surgeries) Loss of wages due to illness/injury, takes 2 - 4 months to climb
Environmental Hazards Mountain is being trashed Health hazards Littered with dead bodies, approximately 200
Obsession Irrational desire to climb at all costs Deal with the devil