Mt Everest

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

 

This is not an isolated incident, this appears to happen fairly

regularly amongst expeditions on the biggest and most difficult

mountains. Joe Simpsons book 'Dark Shadows falling' looks at a

number of these incidents. The climbers on these expeditions do have

to be well equipped, and much of their efforts have to be concerned

with themselves, simply because of the difficulty and inherent

danger of these undertakings. BUT...that is no excuse...the life of

fellow climbers is still more important than the goal of reaching a

summit. This applies to all walks of life, climbers do not qualify

for some kind of exception. Some of you may have read or seen the

documentary film of Joe Simpsons...Touching the Void. The book is

about his climb in the Andes with one other colleague, he breaks his

leg at high altitude and against all odds with the help of his

colleague makes it back. Testimony to the fact that goals and self -

preservation do not automatically have to be the only priorities. I

would very strongly recommend reading his books, not only are his

accounts very eciting , entertaining and funny, but he is quite a

philosopher about the reasons why people choose dangerous pastimes.

It isnt that they have a death wish, it is quite the opposite, it is

during these activities that they actually feel truly alive.

 

Victor (nr. London)

 

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[Guest guest]

I am in complete agreement, of course. Someone's life is of more importance than climbing a very large hill, which is all this mountain really is. Apparently the poor man was in bad shape and would likely have died anyway, but that does not excuse there being no attempt at all to render aid. Disgraceful.Bill

[Guest guest]

If this is common, I wonder why either governments or private

organizations haven't worked out a way to rescue people in trouble on

the high mountains. One would think that helicopter rescues might be

possible, but if they are not at present, it would be worthwhile to

develop better helicopters. Better helicopters, if they are needed,

would no doubt end up having some other important uses so doing what

is moral would end up providing humanity with spin off benefits. Often

in society, there seems to be this karma-like effect in which doing

what is moral produces various other benefits.

 

Jim

 

Ramakrishna , " victor127526 " <victorz wrote:

This is not an isolated incident, this appears to happen fairly

regularly amongst expeditions on the biggest and most difficult mountains.

[Guest guest]

Dear Bill,

 

Please look up www.bbcworld.com which has a news about a climber left dying at very high altitude has been rescued and brought down but he is in a very bad shape with a doubtful recovery. It is a million dollar question about morality as you have asked.

 

Regards, Ashoke