For Next
Week: Krakaeur, Into thin Air, pp.
7-89
NOTE: You can read more than these pages, of
course, since we’ll be moving fairly quickly through the book. However, our questions and discussion for
Monday/Tuesday will only cover these pages.
Also, try to define any words or terms you’re not familiar with, since
we might discuss some of these in class.
Answer 2 of the 4 questions below:
1. What brings Krakaeur to accept the assignment to
go to Everest in the first place? Why
does he lobby to get permission (and funds) to go all the way to the top? How does he explain this to both his wife and
the reader, even though the former is enraged at him and thinks the entire
mission is “so fucking stupid and pointless?” (87).
2. What has exploration tourism done to
Everest? How has the influx of
foreigners changed the culture and environment of the region? Do you feel tourism has improved or damaged
the Sherpas way of life? Does Krakaeur
seem to have an opinion in this?
3. How do the Prefaces to each chapter illustrate
the “conversation” Krakaeur is having with travel and exploration in this
book? Consider, for example, the passage
from A. Alvarez that opens Chapter Six, where he writes, “Unlike your routine
life, where mistakes can usually be recouped and some kind of compromise
patched up, your actions, for however brief a period, are deadly serious”
(79). How does this passage—and others
like it—connect to the overall story Krakaeur is trying to tell?
4. Hall’s travel company, “Adventure Consultants,”
offers trips to Everest with the promise that “We will not drag you up a
mountain—you will have to work hard—but we guarantee to maximize the safety and
success of your adventure” (37). Do you
feel that exploration should ever become mixed with tourism? Is it ethical to promise people a trip to the
peak of Everest
Q2.
ReplyDeleteExploration tourism has made Everest look soft. It has made it to where almost anyone can climb this mountain with less problems than it should. People who follow the tours most likely wouldn’t have survived if they did it on their own. With all the foreigners, the people are more custom to serving the “outsiders/mountaineers.”
Q.4
Exploration shouldn’t be mixed with tourism because it takes out the sacredness, and purity of doing it on your own. Now helping actual explorers up the mountain with pointers and some guidance is one thing but promising someone that had little experience with mountains (especially the world’s biggest mountain) that they get to see the top of the world is not only offensive to people who actually worked hard (and those who died trying) to get there but didn’t have the money for it.
Great responses!
DeleteElyse Marquardt
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2: Exploration has definitely made Everest seem smaller than it previously appeared. I know that in my own opinion, Mt. Everest sounds like it would be pretty easy to conquer (I'm definitely not capable of it at this point in my life, but I know that a lot of people have been able to do it by now). Exploiting the mountain and selling it to the public has changed the culture of the surrounding communities; the Sherpas are more well-to-do, but they are also more commercialized, probably taking away from their original ways of life. Krakauer seems to realize this, but he might take it as an expected result of making the mountain so attainable to the world.
Question 4: I think it is very sad when something that used to be beautiful, elusive, and mysterious becomes common and cheap; I can see where many of the original climbers such as Hillary would be upset by this happening to their beloved mountain. But at the same time, accomplishing such a big goal as climbing the highest mountain in the world is an admirable feat, and many more people have been able to do that now, thanks to the commercialization of Everest. It does downplay the danger of the enterprise; but people should be smart and find out what they are undertaking before they start out. In short, making the mountain more accessible HAS lessened its mystery, but it has also made more people able to achieve their dreams.
Excellent responses: we'll see if the 'easiness' factor remains once you get toward the end of the book! :)
DeleteClarissa Martinez
ReplyDelete2. Everest is known to be the tallest mountain in the world. Therefore, it was seen as a big thing to climb it and survive. So when people started paying to get other people to guide them and give safety when climbing Everest, it makes the mountain look too easy and weak. It has damaged and also improved the Sherpas way of life because now they are constantly around tourism in order to help guide them. In a way tourism is taking away part of their life. A way it improves their way of life is now they can help other's achieve their dream of climbing mount Everest.
4. I don't believe tourism should be mixed with exploration. Exploration is meant to see something in a new way that others haven't already seen. In tourism a guide takes you to a place that millions of people before you have already seem and they also make you see the way they see it. The service of guiding people to climb Everest and survive will bring people who shouldn't climb it that are not qualified. In a way it is ethnical to have a fee to help people climb the mountain because it'll help them survive the experience.
Great responses!
DeleteAmber Simpson
ReplyDelete2.) Exploration tourism has cheapened Everest’s name. It has made it seem not as great as it really is. It is the tallest mountain in the world, and the fact that people can just pay money to experience it has made the experience seem not as thrilling or out there. Climbing Mt. Everest is one of those “once in a lifetime” experiences; it is an activity that most people just dream about and wouldn’t actually set out to do it, but since all you have to do is pay a lot of money and anyone is able to do it, it doesn’t seem like a big deal anymore.
4.) I don’t think tourism and exploration should be mixed. Exploration is dangerous and edgy; tourism is relaxed and taken care of. There is no way that tour guides can control what a group of clueless tourists do, let alone what a mountain does. There is no such thing as safety when you are hiking up a mountain, especially the tallest one in the world! I don’t feel it is ethical to promise a trip to the peak of Everest for a fee. It’s a free country; people shouldn’t have to pay a ridiculous fee to climb a mountain and explore America’s beauty.
Great responses!
DeleteHayden Blakemore
ReplyDelete1. Krakaeur accepts the assignment to go to Mount Everest because of his longing for the climbing experience again. It had always been his childhood dream to climb this ginormous rock, and even though he was 41, these dreams and aspirations floated back to the top of his mind. He lobbies for the money to climb so he can see the sights and climb the mount, instead of sitting at its base for 8 weeks, being teased by it. His former was enraged on the grounds that he hadn't done any climbing in so long, along with the fact that he had given that life up for a family and a job. While saying this, also pointing out the fact that it was a rock and nothing more.
2. Exploration has done two things to it: A. it has shown that it's not that big and formidable over time, and B. caused the natives to grow, but lose touch with their ancestors. To explain, in 1852 when it was first discovered and named by the India culture. Yes, at the time it had a few other names, but again, time played a factor here and Mount Everest stuck. The tourism that it brought in was great for the people of the mount, like the Sherpas, but killed any bit of ancestral touch they had. Going from 20,000 people to 20,000,000 people was the great thing for these people, bringing jobs and happiness to it, though their ancestors more than likely "rolled over in their grave." Language was shot to many different dialects and the similarities in body features faded quickly for them. All in all, it was a win/lose situation for them.
Great responses--you might use some of these ideas in your next paper!
DeleteAndrew Nickell
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2- Tourism has belittled Mount Everest. It has made it seem like a nonchalant and easy task. Due to modern technology and society, it is extremely accessible. You just need money and time. This mountain is one of the tallest in the world and it is not an easy trek. It is a difficult and arduous journey that most people couldn't complete. It is a bucket list type of trip.
Question 4- I do not think they should be mixed. It makes it seem like anything is possible as long as you have money. It is taking one of the world's natural wonders and making it a tourist attracting money-maker. Too often, amazing natural feats like this are misused. I think it should be open to exploration. There should be a dangerous element to it. It is one of the largest mountains in the world. It's not something everyone can accomplish.
Good responses!
DeleteJose Chavez
ReplyDeleteQuestion 1-I think what brings Krakaeur to accept this assignment is his overall childhood dream to accomplish the feat of reaching to summit of Mt. Everest. But I think he is unsure at first because he has now settled down and has a wife and family to take care of and he doesn't want something to happen to him and him leave behind his family. And second I think he is unsure of how to get the funds and he doesn't know right off the bat that the magazine company will pay for it. He explains this to his wife as just a trip to write a article for the magazine and it pays well and that he wouldn't be ascending much higher than the base camp. As the reader we know that ultimately he is going so he can climb to the summit of Mt. Everest. He knows that he is planning on climbing every inch of the mountain to reach the top so he can do something he has always dreamed about.
Question 4- in my opinion I don't think that travel should be mixed with tourism. If you are going to travel then you are going to explore the mountain and the way of life when you're planning to climb a mountain like Mt. Everest. If you are a traveler then you are going for the experience or the adrenaline rush you get when going up this massive land mark. If you're a tourist then you are going just to say that you have done it before. and also tourist just need to have a fat wallet for this to become a possibility and its not a life ling dream like it is for some such as Krakaeur. I also don't think it is ethical to promise a trip all the way to the summit of this mountain because there are multiple factors that play into being able to reach the top. As you read in the book some of the expeditions don't ever reach the top and some of the clients tried to sue the company. It also lures less qualified people to want and take this expedition because it downplays thee dangers. The company says that the guarantee a trip to the top and maximizing the safety of their people when in reality they cant know for sure that their clients will be safe the whole way there and back.
Excellent responses--very detailed and will help you when it comes to the next paper!
DeleteRyan Jolly
ReplyDeleteQuestion 1:
Krakaeur accepted the assignment because of his passion for climbing and his all time goal had been to summit Everest. He never had intention of staying at base camp, and requested permission to reach the summit because of his deep desire for climbing. He tells his wife that he will be ascending no higher than base camp, however he had every intention of going "every bit as high as my unexceptional legs and lungs would carry me" (84). His wife knew this because of the amount of time he would spend training and on the mountain,n however.
Question 4:
I do not believe that exploration should ever become mixed with tourism. It is two completely different subjects and the have infinite differences. The main difference is that one must understand mountaineering to be a climber, but one doesn't have to know anything on the subject to be a tourist, which could be extremely dangerous to everyone on the exploration. I don't believe that it is overly ethical to promise that someone can summit Everest for a fee, simply because it takes a person with specific abilities to climb Everest. It definitely downplays the risk of such a venture and encourages less qualified candidates to climb the mountain, just because they can afford it. This is extremely dangerous, since everyone on the expedition needs to have expert mountaineering skills for their safety and the safety of their crew.
Great responses!
DeleteShelby Attebery
ReplyDeleteQ1: He accepts the assignment by trying to make himself think of it as going as a journalist.He goes to say "i accepted the assignment because I was in the grip of the Everest mystique. His former being enraged because it really is just a job and a mountain but then again to him it has so much more then that to offer. He want to climb all the way to the top because he doesn't want to go that far to just sit at the base and report a story and the "outside" offers a solution to bring in other magazines to help pay the expenses.
Q4: I think exploration and tourism can be mixed in the apporpriate manner. The way they are trying to mix it though, no. I think something like this people should have to know about before they do it. It would be very dangerous for someone who has never climbed anything before to just go pay someone to take them climbing. They would be very unprepared for the trip and may slow others down that really knew what they were doing.
Good responses!
DeleteAlison Green
ReplyDelete2). The influx of tourists has greatly changed the culture and environment of the Sherpas. Yes, it has improved education, roads, and brought in money for the community, but it has completely changed their way of life. The younger children wear blue jeans and American memorabilia, they play American board games at home, and they fight for guide spots. Nearly 1/3 of the people that have passed climbing Everest have been Sherpas.
4). I believe that tourism is a cookie cutter term for someone who goes to see places you are supposed to see. That does not include climbing the most dangerous mountain on earth. Mixing the two of these things together is like mixing driving while intoxicated, it is just an accident waiting to happen. There should be a training course for you to take to see if you are qualified enough to do this, not just be based on how thick your checkbook is.
Good responses!
DeleteNikolette Patai
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2
Tourism to Mt. Everest has made the grand idea and challenge of the Mt. seem almost attainable by anyone. People think oh hey so many people are doing it so can I. They do not prepare and it is dangerous not only for those who try and climb without the right training but also for everyone who would be in their party. As for the Sherpas I believe that tourism has taken away a lot of their culture and so it has damaged them. Yes they now have a steady income and that has improved their lifestyle but it has taken away some of their traditions and history.
Question 4
Exploration and tourism should not mix, simply because I do not think they can. If one wants to explore they are and explorer it they want to go on a tour they are a tourist. I believe that charging a fee for safety is not unethical but I also feel that it should not encourage less qualified applicants tried to and do something (such as climb a mountain) that they are not prepared for. It is an endangerment to all not just themselves. I do think that a small safety net is always welcome though even for the most experienced climbers (there is safety in numbers.)
Great responses!
DeletePreston Hawkins
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2:
The exploration and tourism of Mount Everest has made it seem as if anyone can climb it. People think they can rely on the technology and Sherpas to get them to the top with any complications. I’m sure it is much easier to climb today than it was back in the day, but climbing Everest is still no easy task and should not be taken lightly. The natives have probably benefited from all the tourism due to the large amount of money people spend on climbing Everest. They may have more money now but they also may have lost touch with their heritage and authenticity of their past.
Question 4:
They never really promised that they would get them to the top, they just said that they would do their best to ensure their safety. People latch on to the company and see them as a safety net that they can fall on if things on Everest get too rough. They can not see the true danger and magnitude of what Everest really is because they are blinded by the companies word to keep them safe.
Great responses!
DeleteSavannah Lincoln
ReplyDeleteQ2. Everest seems less harsh, maybe even too easy to accomplish the climb. People have trashed it's natural beauty with litter and human waste. It's definitely not what it used to be. Tourism has changed the Sherpa's lives, for better and worse. It supplies them with income but it is also dangerous to be constantly climbing Everest. They probably get bored and try new, more dangerous things. It does support their lives but also shortens their life spans.
Q4. Exploration and tourism should never be mixed. Exploration requires certain skill that many people may not possess. They shouldn't promise customers anything of that sort. I'm sure they have to sign a liability form, and it's false advertisement. They can promise no such thing. There's so many things that can go wrong that are out of anybody's control. It's misleading, and downplays the danger tremendously. If people who are physically unable, or don't have the intelligence of climbing, they're mislead by being guaranteed making it to the top. You have to know what you're doing, and how to do it.
Great responses!
DeleteFaith Armstrong
ReplyDelete2. Exploration has made Everest too busy. It is really difficult to make sure everyone stays safe because there are so many people everywhere. I think this has greatly changed the Sherpas way of life. They are very much about trying to help people make it up the mountain and risking their own lives in the process simply to make money. He is going to take the challenge of climbing Mount Everest.
4. I think of tourism in a sense of exploration. Whenever you are touring a place, you are exploring to look at all the different sights that they have to offer. I think that if you are going to offer someone a trip to the peak of Everest for a fee, then you should make them be aware of the fact that they may not make it. I do think that it downplays the danger of the experience because they think they are planning on it. It does offer less qualified applicants to take the challenge.
Great responses!
DeleteAshlyn Thompson
ReplyDeleteExploration Tourism I think has made Everest seem small. It makes Everest sound like it isn't as dangerous, or as big and amazing as it is. By making Mt. Everest public it as kind of taken away from the Sherpas. It used to be their community and now there around people surrounding more so than they used to. I think it also makes the Sherpas mad because they rely more on themselves than outside things, whereas people climbing the mountain rely more on the outside things so to speak. I think Krakaeur does have his opinion on this and I think he touches on it a little in the book.
4. I don't think Exploration should be mixed with Tourism. Exploration to me is going to "the great unknown" and not seeing this before, whereas Tourism is just a commercial business with guides that take you to places of interest and maybe want you to have the same perspective as they do. When Exploration and Tourism mix it takes the fun out of it for me. I would much rather go to "the great unknown" rather than go to a place with a guide that it wanted me to see this place as he sees it. It does however downplay the danger of the experience, but it also allows people to have more of an open experience that they may have not had before.