Then we’ll all know it wasn’t so dangerous after all, and other kids should be encouraged to try, yes?
Or the need to carry solar powered lanterns to lead the way for other stupid people if they fail. A serious of frozen lawn-jockeys lining the mountain would make excellent trail markers.
Unfortunately, but I’m not going to wish death on the kid.
They wouldn’t be taking the kid from his parents–only from his father. His mother is not involved with the expedition. But it’s too late for any legal intervention. It’s all up to the mountain.
I see this scenario: kid freezes to death, tearful dad goes on TV, tells world that “this is what his son wanted”.
Meanwhile, state prepares manslaughter case against dad…and high profile lawyer (Gerry Spence) takes case pro bono.
TV frenzy commences… dad is “vindicated”-sets up memorial foundation for his son.
All is well.
But who is going to carry the water melons and fishing poles?
And do you know how hard it is to get African American kids to climb mountains? Besides Mount Hood of course.
The mythology behind the original lawn jockey is that George Washington had one made for his Mount Vernon estate. It was to honor a young African American named Jocko Graveswho froze to death holding a lantern while tending the horses during a raid on the British.
Interesting.
And, of course, that just brings even more humor to your suggestion of Everest Lawn Jockies. Maybe Travelocity could sponsor kiddy Everest climbs and have the kiddies dressed as gnomes. I think frozen traveling gnomes lining the path might be a bit more high class and politically correct.
Indeed. But I can’t help feeling that, wishes aside, the best outcome for the greater good might be for them to die on the mountain–father included, to avoid ralph’s “memorial” scenario.
Zactly.
The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the stupid.
That made me laugh out loud. Part of me wants the dad to fall off a ledge (while posing for a picture) and break his leg causing the expedition to fail. Then they can sell T-shirts with the kid’s picture on it that say “my dad spent $25,000 to climb Mt Everest and all I got was this T-shirt”.
If he falls and breaks his leg, he’ll just tell the kid to “run on ahead”.
didn’t realize the price went up. it’s now $50K per person. That includes one Sherpa and I’m guessing a continental breakfast.
It might seem expensive, but remember you can deduct future burial expenses, as your frozen corpse will remain on the mountain. And who knows, maybe one day the technology will exist to thaw you out and revive you. And, if you left money in a savings account accruing interest…
I would do it if I could, and my reasons have nothing to do with what it means to other people. As for the kid, I’m for it. I don’t think he’ll succeed, but I don’t think he’ll be allowed to kill himself either.
Good point about the trash, though.
Maybe the kid just can’t wait for the Wii Eleven to come out.
You only get half that breakfast unless you go up one side of the mountain and down the other, in which case you get the whole thing.
As of yesterday, he was 21,000 feet up, 8,000 from the summit.
Meanwile, looks like the mountain has added a couple more bodies to its collection. (This article doesn’t say much, though, other than that the famous guy didn’t die.)
Is that the most callous reporting ever? No mention of names at all. The important thing is that they’re continuing on.
Keep in mind that the vast majority of the expedition is spent climbing up to the various camps and back down again as part of the acclimatization process. If you just go straight up, you’re more or less certain to be forced down short of the summit by altitude sickness. IIRC, base camp is 19,000 or some such, so 21,000 is just getting started.