It was in one of those “Best Sci-Fi” compilation books (probably of 2003). The premise was that it was shortly after a first contact with an alien species, and the aliens were described as being like large insects. The particular plot involved one of these aliens who went along on a mountain-climbing expedition up an Everest-class mountain, and featured the usual getting-to-know-one-another devices that alien/human sci-fi usually has. The title was something like “K is for Karmenides,” but I think I have the Karmenides part wrong because I can’t find it again. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.
I remember the story you’re talking about, but not the Author or exact name.
I think it’s earlier than 2003, though, I’m reading through all of Gardner Dozois’ anthologies in order, that story was a few books back, and I’m up to… 1994
Look in ‘The year’s Best Science Fiction’ anthologies for 90,91, or 92 and I’ll bet you’ll find it.
I found a link that had a lot of those old anthologies, and contents, but couldn’t find one with 'K is for…" in the title.
http://www.isfdb.org/topppop.html
Good luck.
If it helps anyone narrow it down to a volume, it also featured as story about lobster consciousnesses being uploaded to the web and becoming sentient (honest).
How about “On K2 with Kanakaredes” by Dan Simmons.
It’s in The Year’s Best Science Fiction, Nineteenth Annual Collection, edited by Gardner Dozios. Published in 2002.
I would have to guess that that’s it. Thanks.
The storyline is just as your op states. If I had the book at hand, I could give the ISBN, or the source of the story. I’m basing this on memory, but I’m sure it’s the one you want.
The story first appeared in the 2001 original anthology, Redshift: Extreme Visions of Speculative Fiction, edited by Al Sarrantonio.