# Everest: Just Don't Do It **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 22, 2016, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397 "2016-05-22T21:31:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 51
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2024, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/1001 "2024-05-17T14:25:16Z")
It probably won’t be the first (or second, since the missing climber is surely dead too). After initial good luck with weather, there have been high winds for the last several days. From an update yesterday: > High winds were in the forecast from multiple services and internet sites, but some teams either didn’t believe them or ignored them and made a summit push on Tuesday, May 15 – around fifty people turned back, and two climbers have been missing for days. > > Unbelievably, around 50 people turned back after attempting to summit on May 12 with winds gusting to 50mph. The top limit for the best teams is 30 mph. Why expedition leaders choose to put their clients in obvious danger is beyond me. So now all the teams are targeting the good weather window this weekend. > The high winds are expected to ease as we move closer to the weekend, but serious concerns are brewing. With May 19th -21st as the sweet spot (low winds), crowds become an issue since high summit winds have kept people off the summit this week. So if everyone targets May 19th -21st, look for masses to push to be in position at C2 and the Col by the 18th. > **[Everest 2024: Risky Decision Making | The Blog on alanarnette.com](https://www.alanarnette.com/blog/2024/05/16/everest-2024-risky-decision-making/)** ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/1002 "2024-05-22T11:04:27Z")
Initial reports were that everyone was ok, but now it seems two more likely have died on Everest after part of the route collapsed near the Hillary step. > **[British, Sherpa climbers feared dead near Everest summit](https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/british-sherpa-climbers-died-near-everest-summit-death-toll-reached-4)** > > Two climbers fell down and went missing near Hillary step on Mt Everest since yesterday morning, officials confirmed. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/1003 "2024-05-22T19:40:39Z")
Not looking to be a good week on Everest as we now have another reported death and yet two more reported missing. > **[Romanian dies at Camp III, Kenyan climber missing above 8,000m](https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/romanian-dies-at-camp-iii-kenyan-climber-missing-above-8000m)** > > A Romanian climber died at Camp III while two others went missing from above 8,000m on Mt Everest, expedition organisers said. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/1004 "2024-05-22T22:53:37Z")
CMIIW, but a long time ago, having scaled Everest was brag worthy. Nowadays people would probably first ask about all the dead bodies. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/1005 "2024-05-22T23:03:48Z")
Here’s a pic of climbing conditions Monday - 2019 was even worse, but it’s pretty crowded. [![](https://www.alanarnette.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Ev-crowds-Rajan-Dwivedi.jpeg) ](https://www.alanarnette.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Ev-crowds-Rajan-Dwivedi.jpeg) And a pretty ridiculous update from one of the expedition companies. Talk about burying the lede: > Big congratulations to our 8K Expeditions Team B & C for their successful summit of Everest! Despite harsh weather conditions, the entire team successfully stood atop Everest. They are now descending to the base camp. While celebrating this success we regret to inform you that a cornice collapse occurred yesterday at Hillary Step. Two of our brave team members, Mr. Daniel Paul Paterson (UK) and Mr. Pastenji Sherpa (Nepal), are missing. More details here: > **[Everest 2024: More Summits and More Missing Climbers | The Blog on...](https://www.alanarnette.com/blog/2024/05/22/everest-2024-summit-and-more-missing-climbers/)** > > Summits continue, but multiple climbers are missing near the Hillary Step after some sort of route collapse. Through May 22, Everest has seen 379 summits, compromising 214 Sherpas, or 56% and 165 memb ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/1006 "2024-05-23T11:38:18Z")
And again. > **[Nepali climber dies on descent at Everest Camp IV](https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/nepali-climber-dies-on-descent-at-everest-camp-iv)** > > A Nepali climber died above Camp IV on Wednesday as he suffered from altitude sickness, expedition organiser said. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/1007 "2024-05-23T12:40:54Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > the entire team successfully stood atop Everest. Oh, well, that’s the important thing. 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/1008 "2024-05-23T14:38:56Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > Oh, well, that’s the important thing It doesn’t count unless you make it back. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/1009 "2024-05-24T02:51:54Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > It doesn’t count unless you make it back. well it does count, … … just LESS than the fact that you are dead. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/1010 "2024-05-24T14:21:32Z")
Current Everest toll is seven: 1. May 23 – Nepali (not a Sherpa) **Binod Babu Bastakoti** , 37, died near the south Col after summiting and climbing with Yeti Adventure/Pioneer Adventure. 2. May 22 – British **Daniel Paul Paterson,** 40, is missing near Hillary Step after summiting and climbing with 8K Expeditions. 3. May 22 – **Pastenji Sherpa** , 23, is missing near Hillary Step after summiting and climbing with 8K Expeditions. 4. May 22 – Kenyan **Cheruiyot Kirui, 40,** died above the Hillary Step, climbing without Os with Seven Summits Treks. 5. May 22 – **Nawang Sherpa** ,44, is missing above the Hillary Step, climbing with Seven Summits Treks. 6. May 13 – Mongolian **Usukhjargal Tsedendamba** , 53, died on the SE Ridge after summiting, climbing with 8K Expeditions. 7. May 13 – Mongolian **Prevsuren Lkhagvajav** , 31, died on the SE Ridge after summiting, climbing with 8K Expeditions. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/1011 "2024-05-24T14:35:59Z")
Gabriel Tabara of Romania died on May 21 at Everest Camp 3 while attempting to climb Lhotse. Wiki lists him as an Everest death. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2024, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/1012 "2024-05-25T13:28:15Z")
[Some video about the route collapse near the summit](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sHBQt2NWWs4&t=5s&pp=ygUNbW91bnQgZXZlcmVzdA%3D%3D). Just don’t do it! ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2024, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/1013 "2024-10-11T15:11:07Z")
> **[British explorer Sandy Irvine's foot discovered 100 years after he vanished...](https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/british-explorer-sandy-irvines-foot-discovered-100-years-after-he-vanished-on-everest)** > > The foot, boot and sock thought to belong to Sandy Irvine, who disappeared during George Mallory's 1924 expedition to climb Mount Everest, have likely been found. They could be a vital clue in unraveling an even bigger mystery. So where is the rest of him? Are there any predators which would eat him and drag the rest of the body away at that altitude? ---
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2024, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/1014 "2024-10-11T15:19:07Z")
100 years exposed in that environ can break up a body pretty well even in the absence of predator activity, methinks. Dessication, super-high winds, ice & snow movement etc. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2024, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/1015 "2024-10-11T16:58:49Z")
I suppose they will bring it down to study. I heard Mount Everest was getting inches taller every year, but now see guess will be one foot shorter. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2024, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/1016 "2024-10-11T17:01:47Z")
I laughed. Interesting post/user name correlation. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2024, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/1017 "2024-10-11T18:19:54Z")
That’s it, **Biotop** (or his sock) is getting the boot. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2024, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/1018 "2024-10-11T18:28:03Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > So where is the rest of him? Shoes and boots are miles ahead of preserving body parts than the rest of our clothing. Puget Sound is littered with severed feet from bodies that have long since been obliviated by the elements. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2024, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/1019 "2024-10-11T18:28:49Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > Are there any predators which would eat him and drag the rest of the body away at that altitude? The yeti. Duh! ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2024, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/1020 "2024-10-11T18:29:22Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > So where is the rest of him? Are there any predators which would eat him and drag the rest of the body away at that altitude? This has _Dexter_ written all over it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397.md?page=50) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397.md?page=52)