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[Note: MWF classes won't address this reading/questions until Friday; for Wednesday we'll continue on pages 1-88--see note below]
For
Thursday/Friday: Krakauer, Into Thin Air,
pp.89-147
1. On page 92, Krakauer writes that “Everest has
always been a magnet for kooks, publicity seekers, hopeless romantics, and
others with a shaky hold on reality.”
Why do you think this is? Why do
so many people without the ability or background in climbing seek out
Everest—often to their doom? Consider
especially the Taiwanese expedition led by “Malaku” and the South Africa
2. For most climbers, Everest is a destination—a
place to test themselves in the most extreme conditions imaginable. For the Sherpas, however, this is their home
and their culture. Climbing for them is
a way of life, and the mountain is their physical and spiritual home. How are the climbers interfering with local
culture and beliefs? What don’t they see
or understand about the Sherpas which could be dangerous for both parties?
3. How does a climber like Sandy Pittman (who
travels with laptops, printers, solar panels, and gourmet food) complicate the
argument of who deserves to be on Everest?
Though she has climbing experience, she would not be on the mountain
without enormous help (which she is willing to pay for). Do you think she ‘cheapens’ the Everest
experience? Endangers it? Or does she have as much right as anyone to
attempt the summit?
4. In Chapter Ten, Krakauer writes that “People who
don’t climb mountains...tend to assume that the sport is a reckless, Dionysian
pursuit of ever escalating thrills. But
the notion that climbers are merely adrenaline junkies chasing a righteous fix
is a fallacy, at least in the case of Everest” (140). According to him, what does bring people to the mountain, and what do they hope to find
there?
Q.1
ReplyDeleteBecause Everest does draw these people in, in fact Krakauer even lists a good amount of people whom fit this description. Most people are in to climbing this mountain for the rush and adrenalin and fame. One person climbed the mountain just to have his views shown to the world that god can solve the problems of the world. For which he died trying. On the other hand there are really careless people on the mountain like the Taiwanese and South Africa teams that seem to always get into trouble or mishaps.
Q.2
Climbers don’t seem to understand that the Sherpas might be used to the mountain but in truth they know the mountain like surfers know the sea. Most of the time they know it well enough to live but other times things change and there could be unknown “sharks” in the water that can cause injury or death. For the Sherpas they are so used to the area that they are willing to take risks that most would see as crazy. They also are the ones that die most of the time. Also the Sherpas now have internet etc, for which they are happy about but now their culture is a mix of both old and new.
Jose Chavez
ReplyDeleteQuestion 1- I think the reason so many people are attracted to Everest are because of more selfish reasons. Like Krakauer states later in the book, there are a lot of people of attend climbing expeditions on Everest just for bragging rights, celebrity fame, career advancement, or an ego message. I think for a lot of these people they just want to be able to say they did or attempted it. I think they also are wiling to push the limits because of their ego telling them that nothing will happen to them because of the commercial advertisement making them think that. these tourist are less apt to believe that they could possible freeze to death or something else happening to them, causing death.
Question 4- I think Krakauer believes that the overall seemingly impossible task of actually reaching the peak of Everest is what brings people to this mountain. I think he believes climbers are attracted to Everest because they want to test their bodies and skills to the max, they want to see if they can go through and endure what is necessary to make it to the top. He says in the book that these people are looking for a "state of grace."The feeling you get when accomplishing such a feat. They also are looking to fulfill one of their childhood dreams for some of the climbers.
Ryan Jolly
ReplyDeleteQuestion 1:
There could be a thousand reasons that people seek to climb Everest, and it really depends on who is asked the question of why one would want to climb it. I believe that most people want to climb Everest from an accomplishment perspective. Maybe it was their dream to climb Everest or maybe it was a sport that they picked up during their career, but either way, it is a deep desire that some people have to stand at the world's ceiling, which honestly would be amazing. Others do it for bragging rights and that moment of fame, and these are the type of people that do not spend adequate time training for such a venture, because climbing isn't their life. Others may do it simply to try and be the first of their people to reach the summit.
Question 4:
Krakauer seems to believe that there is much more to climbing than simply getting an adrenaline rush, as riding a motorcycle or skydiving would give someone (136). He seems to believe that everyone is seeking a state of grace. Sure there are other motivations such as celebrity, career, and ego. However, Krakauer seems to believe that these are less of a motivation for those who climb Everest and he even says that he was forced to rethink his views on his teammates. I believe that what people really want to find is the satisfaction of carrying out their goal of summiting the highest peak in the world.
1. Most of the people we see in this book, that are tourist to Everest, are people looking for a fresh excitement, but with no climbing experience. Everest has always been the place to boast, "I made it to the top. I climbed all the way up there. I... I... I..." and so on and so forth. Bragging rights after climbing the mount has always been a big thing, but so many people miss the point that the mountain is one of the most dangerous places. They think a little storm is just a drop of rain or two, whereas a little storm could be the death of anyone in a matter of a couple of minutes. Mount Everest is the best bragging right around, but the most dangerous place ever for those without the climbing experience.
ReplyDelete3. She brings so much equipment with her, that 3 people should be carrying it! Too much weight will always slow down any climbing group, and when you're on Everest, speed usually determines life or death. Yes, she has some climbing experiences, but no I do not believe she should be going up the mountain, unless she has been taught some respect for it and the dangers of it. Overall she endangers anyone who is with her going up that mountain with her and doesn't care to even think about the possibility of death while she is on that mountain, which could be coming her way if she is not careful.
Question 2
ReplyDeleteThe climbers are disrespecting their home and their God. They are in a sense forcing the sherpas to disobey their deity because they are trespassing on sacred land for money. While the sherpas ask for safe passage from the mountain they are still fearful because they know that they should not be there anyway. The land is sacred and the littering and even simply walking on the land is in a way disrespectful. While the sherpas do there best to protect their God most of the outside mountain climbers do not think anything of it. So this causes tension between the guides and the climbers which in itself is very dangerous for the safety of all the climbers.
Question 3
I believe that people like Sandy Pittman should not even be on the mountain simply because while she is physically there she is missing out on the entire experience. She wanted to climb mt. everest but really she truly just wants to be able to say she has done it, not because she sees some greater purpose in it. Her equipment endangers the entire party because it is extra baggage that is unnecessary. This adds weight and more people which means slower travel and more difficult climbing (and it is not like Everest is not difficult to begin with). So I do believe that people who want to live in the comfort of their home but still want to “say” they have done dangerous things, need to choose where they want to be, home or in the experience.
Shelby Attebery
ReplyDeleteQ1: I think people seek it out for their own sense of power. The power they feel after accomplishing something. Maybe, just so they can say they have done it or at least tried. People want something interesting to tell. I also think most people will say “oh it won’t happen to me.” When in all reality it has to happen to someone sometime, and they know it really is a possibility, but, they want to do something adventurous so badly they push that thought away.
Q2: The climbers could be interfering with the Sherpas home and culture many ways depending on how you view it. My way, is it is causing some families to lose part of their family. Some tourist don’t think too far into it because they think, these guys must know what they are doing since they do it all the time. But, there are many sherpas that may have never experienced immediate danger while climbing the mountains and some won’t know how to handle things properly. As for the culture, the tourist are just there to tour and not learn so much about one’s culture. So, they (the Sherpas) may feel kind of bound to not talk about their way of life and just try to provide the way of life people assume they live.
Preston Hawkins
ReplyDeleteQuestion 3.
I believe that whoever you are, you should have the right to do about climbing everest how you please, so long as you do not damage or disrespect the mountain. Most people would see taking all the luxuries as making the everest experience less authentic. I believe that is true, but I also believe that as long as that person is okay with it and enjoying their self then they can do it however they want. Take for instance camping. some people enjoy roughing it, sleeping in sleeping bags and tents while others the warmth of the campfire and the outdoors but would rather sleep in an RV.
Question 2.
I could compare this to rodeos here in Oklahoma. Visitors from the northern states come down here and want to experience southern style things. Cowboys experience riding horses and roping cattle quite frequently, but for tourist they only get to experience it maybe once in a lifetime. The cowboys see the tourist as “City slickers” and maybe laugh at their inexperience on a horse. Perhaps the sherpas also find it funny that tourist to everest don't know much about it or how to climb it properly the way the sherpas do.
Faith Armstrong
ReplyDelete1. I think that Everest has been a magnet for so many people without the ability or background of climbing because it’s something that they think could get them attention. If they have no sort of attention going for them, then they are more likely to try to do wild and dangerous things in order to get attention. They want to be known for something big and noteworthy that they did. It’s often to their doom, though, because it only makes sense that if you don’t know what you’re doing, then you’re probably going to have a hard time with it.
2. Everest is the Sherpas home, and helping people up the mountain is their way of life. It is how they provide for their families, but they also risk their lives to do it. It is very dangerous, and some of them get sick and are not able to finish the journey to the top. They have to come back down to receive medical treatment, but that is what the people seeking to climb Everest don’t understand. They are going to get some attention, but they are causing the Sherpas to risk their lives in the process. The reality is, is that tourists are causing the native people to risk their lives to have fun. They don’t realize how dangerous this is, or how it interferes with the Sherpas way of life, and the Sherpas aren’t going to say anything or do anything about it because they have to support their families.
Jessica Olivar
ReplyDeleteQ1; I think people seek out climbing Mount Everest because they want bragging right (the ones that have no experience with climbing) or they just want to prove to themselves that they can climb it. Maybe, they want an adrenaline rush.
Q2: Mount Everest is the only thing Sherpas know. It's where they're at most of the time. The tourists don't really think that the Sherpas are helping them get to their destination instead they could be with their families, they are risking their lives.The tourists are too consumed with the idea of getting to the top of mount Everest to care about what their culture is about.
Amber Simpson
ReplyDelete1.) Hikers would naturally dream about hiking to the top of Mount Everest. It’s the same attraction performers have about performing on Broadway; it’s their hobby but the “above and beyond” version of it. Then there are those without the ability or background in climbing who have the same attraction to reaching the peak of Mount Everest as kids would have to spending a week at Disney Land. The idea that it is the tallest mountain in the world, and just to say they’ve gone and climbed it, would be such a great accomplishment, let alone a great story to tell. Mount Everest is one of those places that everyone knows about, so they probably assume that they would get a ridiculous/shocked reaction out of people once they tell their adventurous story about climbing it.
2.) Climbers are interfering with the Sherpas’ culture and beliefs by taking the hike for granted. The climbers just see it as a vacation, but the Sherpas live and breathe Mount Everest every day; they were born to appreciate it. The climbers expect to be taken to the top and physically taken care of, but the Sherpas are actually risking their lives by taking them to the top, and the climbers have no idea. The climbers see the climb as “safe” when it’s really not.
1. When Krakauer says this because there are people (rich people) whom see Everest as something they can buy, or experience in leisure. One very good example is Sandy Pittman, I mean she basically brought her entire house with her to Everest or Earl Denman whom had absolutely no climbing experience. The mountain lures these people in because they want to experience something that travel companies make seem to certain as romantic or safe.
ReplyDelete2. Sherpas believe the mountain is like a church and the climbers (especially the tourists) don’t follow the religious beliefs at all. What climbers don’t do is participate things such as the ritual to the god of the mountain asking to spare their lives and things like that. The climbers also fornicate on the mountain which is defiantly sacrilegious. They don’t see how the sherpas are scared and how they feel towards the climbers and that is dangerous.
1.) I believe people seek Everest as their doom because of the thrill of having accomplished something so demanding. People often do not like to work for things and they just want to be spoon fed victories and they think Everest is completely safe and they will never really be in any kind of danger because they probably did not research it as thoroughly as they should've. I think they're so drawn to it because if they do somehow survive, they will be talked about and praised. My dream is to go skydiving, which is completely stupid and reckless, but it brings me the feeling of accomplishing something.
ReplyDelete2.) The Sherpas go above and beyond what is asked of them just so people can accomplish their dreams. They're very selfless and we take complete advantage of them. We are destroying their sacred home and they seem to keep giving. I think we are changing their culture just because they're being exposed to so many different types of life and they are sort of losing a sense of their home. I think we do not understand that the Sherpas only way of survival is working to get these tourist to the top of that mountain so they would literally suffer any type of pain to make that accomplishment, even if it means giving up their arms and legs or worse, their life.
Mikayla Sparks
ReplyDelete1. I believe that Everest is such a magnet for kooks, publicity seekers, hopeless romantics, and others with a shaky hold on reality because Everest is a dangerous task not many people have the ability to say “Hey, I’ve been there” let alone say “Hey I’ve climbed that mountain”. It gives each person a name for themselves. They are just looking for a way to be known. I think a lot of people without the background of climbing seek Everest to prove to people that they really are worth something, that they are strong than what people give them effort for. Some however, may truly be on there for their doom. They may just be willing to give up and give up trying on a dangerous mountain and people just look at it as them being heroes or something instead of a suicide call. Then there are those few groups of people who actually do go on there without experience for the money to feed their families. So they can have a job in a low economic society.
2. The climbers are interfering with the local culture and beliefs of the Sherpas in many ways. Like we discussed in class, Everest is like our church. They go on there to get closer to their god. They use it in spiritual means. Anytime someone does something on that mountain to offend them, the Sherpas believe they take the blame, and end up getting killed. Like what was said in class, would you go and do unspeakable things in your church, and dirty it up? No, you would take care of it. All these tourist do not understand just how important this mountain is to them, and they take it for advantage and throw all their stuff away on it. They do not care. They do not take pride and respect for their surroundings and it irritates the Sherpas.
Clarissa Martinez
ReplyDelete1. Goran Kropp’s intuition goes against the culture of extreme climbers because for extreme climbers getting to the summit comes before everything and anything. Usually when an extreme climber is climbing Everest and has the option of going all the way to the summit or saving someone’s life that is not guaranteed to survive. They’ll usually pick the summit because they’ve been waiting their whole life for it.The mountain makes them have no feelings for life and death. So they can’t seem to throw away the opportunity to help someone who might not even make it and is also on the mountain that people are known not always to come back.
3. Most serious climbers refuse to use it because anyone can climb Everest. To climb Everst you can be anybody that has enough money to pay guides and use bottles of oxygen. The serious climbers need to find a way to stand out from everyone else. So they go all natural. This helps separate the people who deserve to be on the mountain and the people who don’t, the tourist. It helps separate because if you use oxygen bottles and guides you’re relying on others to get you to the summit and not yourself, and in a way it’s cheating. I believe it should be truly man vs. nature to help get more of a unique and your own experience while relying just on yourself.
Clarissa Martinez
ReplyDeleteWhat I think is meant by that is that Everest is known to attract kooks, publicity seekers, hopeless romantics, and others are for boosting rights. They think because they pay money for a guide who always does it they'll know what they're doing and keep them alive. So they'll come back alive being able to say “oh yea I climbed Mount Everest.” This can help them brag about it eventually leading into them gaining something out of it.
3.A climber like Sandy Pittman complicates the argument of who deserves to be on Everest by showing that she's not in it to experience the mountain she's in it for fame and bragging rights. She does cheapen the experience of climbing it because she's not able to experience it for herself she has to rely on someone to experience it for her. Also because of how she is, she makes it seem like anyone can do it, making the experience cheep. She endangers it because now others that are inexperience think they can climb it when they’re probably going to die. She does not have the right to attempt the summit, it puts the mountain to shame. The only way she could have the right is to experience Everest the way it should be experienced.
Ashlyn Thompson
ReplyDelete1. I think most people accept the challenge of climbing Everest without really thinking about it and seeing the challenge that lies ahead. Then again, I think it also has to do with pride and bragging rights. People just want to climb the mountain to say that they have. Whether or not they made it to the top, they at least took the challenge or got halfway up it and that's more than most people. I feel like people think that if they can get to the top of Everest then they can conquer anything.
3. In my opinion Sandy Pittman is just there because she can afford it. She has the money and the fame. Pretty much all she doesn't have is the title of climbing to the top of Everest. I think she definitely cheapens the experience of climbing Everest. She brings so much stuff with her that in the end starts to slow the group down. She relies too much on all of her material things. I mean, she basically brings her whole apartment with her. I think she does endanger the experience. She is slowing the group down, which in turn could cause them to get hurt, get tired, and even die. They have a certain plan to which they follow about getting to the camps on time, and if she is slowing them down then they won't have enough time to make it. She has the right to attempt it as much as anyone else, but I do think that she needs to think it through a little more instead of just climbing it because she can. She also needs to think a little more about other people instead of herself. She brought her whole apartment for herself, which, in turn in slowing the others down and not in turn putting herself in danger, but them as well.