# 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:** 6
**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 20, 2017, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/101 "2017-05-20T03:28:35Z")
The [Hillary Step](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/alpinism/everest-hillary-step-collapsed.html&ved=0ahUKEwjZ1bGlwv3TAhWI6CYKHSCaBZoQFghZMA4&usg=AFQjCNHU5VUqKebha8sbjxKj7UoltM7u_Q&sig2=Q11UOgm1_oI8URS9nBK12g) appears to be gone. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/102 "2017-05-20T06:37:00Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > My cousin’s husband was part of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster than John Krakauer wrote about in his book, _Into This Air_. Enough to keep me from ever considering it, even if I was into mountaineering. Interesting. I hope he survived. Did he summit in May 1996? Was he on Hall’s party? Or Fischer’s? Or another? ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/103 "2017-05-20T21:10:26Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > The [Hillary Step](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/alpinism/everest-hillary-step-collapsed.html&ved=0ahUKEwjZ1bGlwv3TAhWI6CYKHSCaBZoQFghZMA4&usg=AFQjCNHU5VUqKebha8sbjxKj7UoltM7u_Q&sig2=Q11UOgm1_oI8URS9nBK12g) appears to be gone. What exactly does that mean for climbers on the mountain? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/104 "2017-05-20T21:51:36Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > What exactly does that mean for climbers on the mountain? From the article: > [@](#): > > How much easier or harder do you feel it has become? > It’s easier going up the snow slope (and indeed for inexperienced climbers and mountaineers there’s less ‘climbing’ to be done making it much easier for them). However it’s going to form a bottleneck. The Hillary Step often formed a bottleneck but some years they fixed and up and a down rope. In the current state it would be difficult to safely negotiate down where the step used to be on account of the huge unstable rocks that are perched on the route. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/105 "2017-05-20T23:19:52Z")
I got so caught up in looking at pictures of Hillary Step that I forgot to read the article. :smack: ---
**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 21, 2017, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/106 "2017-05-21T15:31:09Z")
[1 dead one missing this morning.](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/21/mount-everest-american-climber-dies-indian-man-missing&ved=0ahUKEwj1qZLOpoHUAhVLRyYKHZpBB4sQFgiLATAZ&usg=AFQjCNHP2RBcC31Bpl7r3ExHad50v2ynSA&sig2=vT975B7OuThwZWmDonznLg) ---
**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 21, 2017, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/107 "2017-05-21T16:50:58Z")
Plus [two more](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/american-climber-dies-on-mount-everest-authorities-say/2017/05/21/7567c3a0-4db2-4528-a6e6-c928e3a9f43c_story.html?utm_term=.8c5dd1eb0618) dead. ---
**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, 2017, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/108 "2017-05-24T02:49:44Z")
[Hillary Step](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/23/mount-everests-hillary-step-is-still-there-say-nepalese-climbers&ved=0ahUKEwi5jYXOwYfUAhXIQSYKHWlQCsQQiJQBCB0wAA&usg=AFQjCNFgIdiQiW9OXKvtJzyC9In4N1GSHw&sig2=-IM-t6bb-le0TkpZTNZdBg)may be still there after all. Weird. It doesn’t seem like the sort of thing you could simply overlook on the way up… ---
**Author:** ![Whatever4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@Whatever4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whatever4)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/109 "2017-05-24T05:28:58Z")
> [@Chihuahua](#): > > From what I’ve heard, this is part of the problem. I have been binge watching Everest videos. It seems that neither Nepal nor China are limiting the number of climbing permits. Many groups have had to wait up to an hour at the Hillary Step (which is or isn’t gone depending on who is describing it) and that wait, standing still in the cold, is another danger to climbers. I really don’t care about how many try to summit Everest. Or how many die or lose feet or hands in the attempt. I do care about all the trash that is left behind. A mystical mountain just turned into a cash cow, and screw the locals who revere Everest. ---
**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, 2017, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/110 "2017-05-24T05:40:38Z")
Looks like [more are dead](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=/amp/news.sky.com/story/amp/four-found-dead-in-tent-at-highest-camp-on-mount-everest-10890700&ved=0ahUKEwiuydH254fUAhXNdSYKHWKeDPwQqUMIJTAC&usg=AFQjCNEGocjRvS-5bwmDhOJ8_Rj_vjmRkA&sig2=laBPrCxKyMDxo2J9-blkJg). ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/111 "2017-05-24T12:31:44Z")
> [@Whatever4](#): > > I really don’t care about how many try to summit Everest. Or how many die or lose feet or hands in the attempt. I do care about all the trash that is left behind. Well, dead bodies are often left there like so much trash. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/112 "2017-05-24T13:09:57Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > Well, dead bodies are often left there like so much trash. But O₂ cylinders aren’t biodegradable… :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/113 "2017-05-24T13:45:03Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > But O₂ cylinders aren’t biodegradable… :eek: Are the bodies biodegradable in that environment? ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/114 "2017-05-24T13:56:50Z")
From what I’ve seen in the news is that the body count this year is 10 so far. Is this accurate? ---
**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:** [May 24, 2017, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/115 "2017-05-24T13:57:00Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > Are the bodies biodegradable in that environment? [Green Boots](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Boots) has been there for 21 years now, although he’s now hidden from view. From what I understand, bodies pretty much mummify up there. ---
**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, 2017, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/116 "2017-05-24T14:23:41Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > From what I’ve seen in the news is that the body count this year is 10 so far. Is this accurate? Yes. [But current conditions are bad near the summit](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=/amp/abc7.com/amp/news/death-toll-climbs-as-massive-storm-hits-mount-everest/2029699/&ved=0ahUKEwiC7qSC3IjUAhVFSiYKHSgcAfkQqUMINDAH&usg=AFQjCNF8Pnhvq9YM0phwVgETq3ONUEWpgQ&sig2=RcoZ-7Mg6KdLrtsYmfT_rA). There may be more. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/117 "2017-05-24T14:38:34Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > My cousin’s husband was part of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster than John Krakauer wrote about in his book, _Into This Air_. Enough to keep me from ever considering it, even if I was into mountaineering. Nitpick: _Into Thi **n** Air_. That book took care of any desire I might have had to climb Everest. ---
**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 24, 2017, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/118 "2017-05-24T14:45:17Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > [Hillary Step](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/23/mount-everests-hillary-step-is-still-there-say-nepalese-climbers&ved=0ahUKEwi5jYXOwYfUAhXIQSYKHWlQCsQQiJQBCB0wAA&usg=AFQjCNFgIdiQiW9OXKvtJzyC9In4N1GSHw&sig2=-IM-t6bb-le0TkpZTNZdBg)may be still there after all. Weird. It doesn’t seem like the sort of thing you could simply overlook on the way up… One of the earlier-posted linked articles had two links to supplemental stories, and one said the Step was there, and one said it was gone. And they both used the same picture! > [@Telemark](#): > > [Green Boots](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Boots) has been there for 21 years now, although he’s now hidden from view. From what I understand, bodies pretty much mummify up there. Mallory’s body was there 75 years and was in pretty good shape. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/119 "2017-05-24T15:00:52Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > [URL=“[Green Boots - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Boots)”]From what I understand, bodies pretty much mummify up there. That is what I thought. Cold and dry are good for preserving bodies. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397/120 "2017-05-24T16:18:30Z")
It’s my understanding bodies do not decompose up there so much as they _erode_ away. There are pictures of bare skulls with hair still attached underneath their coat hood. Creepy. While I am against any further summiting of Everest (the whole thing is an environmental disaster and whatever there was to be proved was proven long, long ago), but I would like to _see_ it in person someday. I doubt I ever will, but that is the extent of adventure I’m up for, and I think that should be good enough for pretty much everyone else. I can look but not touch. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everest-just-dont-do-it/755397.md?page=7)