Mountain Climbing with the Wizard

Since I started in July, I've seen at least
1000 hiking videos. It's dawning on me
that one of the things I like most is,
it's a rich white peoples thing.

I have yet to see a black thru hiker,
or a Latino. Seen a couple Asians,
that's all. It's mostly middle class
college educated white people. It's
not a 3rd word thing.

On average it costs $1000 a month
to thru hike a major trail. And you
still have to maintain the life you left
behind for 6 months, Who can afford
that, except rich Americans. And a few
from EU and Australia.

This is why the videos are interesting,
these are educated people on an
adventure.

Traffic jam on Mt Everest. Over 300 climbers.

Indian climber Anjali Kulkarni, 55, died on her way back from climbing to the summit, and American mountaineer Donald Lynn Cash, 55, died after fainting from high altitude sickness while descending

Quote: Pacomartin

Indian climber Anjali Kulkarni, 55, died on her way back from climbing to the summit, and American mountaineer Donald Lynn Cash, 55, died after fainting from high altitude sickness while descending

I've found the 50's to be a
very dangerous decade
for many people. I know
a lot of men who died in
their 50's. Isn't Mike around
55?

Quote: Evenbob

I have yet to see a black thru hiker,
or a Latino. Seen a couple Asians,
that's all. It's mostly middle class
college educated white people. It's
not a 3rd world thing.

Six months later and still no hikers
of color. I read an article by a
black guy and he said blacks
generally hate camping with a
passion. He said it's just not a
part of their culture, it seems
ridiculous to them.

I gotta agree, I hate camping also.
Sleeping on an air mattress in
a hot muggy tent with loud
insects buzzing outside, and
waking up at 5:45 because
the sun has made it hot in
the tent, none of that is for
me.

And that's what thru hiking
is, 6 months of camping.
Yuk. But I love watching it,
am following 8 hikers this
season and watch their
videos every night.

Quote: Pacomartin

Traffic jam on Mt Everest. Over 300 climbers.

I've seen that picture on the news twice. It speaks for itself.

Quote: Evenbob

I've found the 50's to be a
very dangerous decade
for many people. I know
a lot of men who died in
their 50's. Isn't Mike around
55?

7.62% of men to reach 50 don't make it to 60. That figure drops to 4.56% for women.

A second American in his 50's dies
on Everest. That's 11 total people
dying in the last 2 weeks.

Quote: Evenbob

A second American in his 50's dies
on Everest. That's 11 total people
dying in the last 2 weeks.

It's becoming quite a cluster#$%@ on the last leg of Everest. Nepal must have increased the number of permits they sell. I would suggest to them they double the price and cut the number by half. Even the climbers would probably prefer shortages than the situation now. A friend of a friend of a friend just didn't go on summit day this year, despite being fully prepared, because of the overcrowding.

One can also do it from the Chinese side, but its much harder, in part because there are no Sherpas to schlep supplies up and down.

Peak permit costs are $11,000 per climber for the pre-monsoon season on the south side of Everest, and slightly cheaper in Tibet at about $8000. This is a Government fixed charge and they also charge for a Liaison Officer whose job it is to monitor the expeditions and ensure that rules are complied with, and that everyone has a permit.

A number of articles say Nepal has issued a "record number of permits" without providing numbers.

Quote: Wizard

Nepal must have increased the number of permits they sell. I would suggest to them they double the price and cut the number by half. Even the climbers would probably prefer shortages than the situation now.

I think that is an excellent idea. Given the permit is often about 25% of total costs, of I am sure most people would gladly pay $20K to have a much better shot at survival.


There are tours for the well-heeled tourist that don't involve ascending to deadly heights. This NG tour is 14 days and you go as high as base camp and tour nearby mountains.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/expeditions/destinations/asia/active/nepal-everest-basecamp-trek/

DATE DOUBLE OCCUPANCY SINGLE OCCUPANCY
Apr 9-25, 2020 Alternate Itinerary $5,995 Per Person $7,295 Per Person
May 7-23, 2020 Alternate Itinerary $5,995 Per Person $7,295 Per Person
Oct 8-24, 2020 Alternate Itinerary $5,995 Per Person $7,295 Per Person
Nov 5-21, 2020 Alternate Itinerary $5,995 Per Person $7,295 Per Person

Quote: Pacomartin

There are tours for the well-heeled tourist

I can't imagine spending that kind
of money just to climb one mountain
so you can say you did it. Hike the
PCT for 1/10 the cost, you'll have
accomplished something greater
than Everest.

Or the AT. 50% of thru hikers don't
make it to Harpers Ferry, the halfway
point. Only 25% make it to the end.
An amazing number drop out in
the first 100 miles. There's a guy
who runs a taxi service at the
25 mile point, he's busy all season
ferrying people out of the area to
an airport.

I got out of the car once at our highest hill but couldn't get to the actual peak as the people won't let anyone in their yard. It might be one of the hardest peaks to get to among the fifty states. Its a whopping 812' and kicks Florida's butt!