December 1
December 1, 2005
Europeans Gone Mad ... film at 11:00
I always admire the Russians for their no-fear style of climbing but let's add at least one Frenchman to the list. A well known climber, this gentleman was arrested in Houston this week for climbing outside a 46 story building. Apparently Alain Robert has made a career of mistaking concrete and glass for granite and ice. According to Reuters, Robert said "... All these buildings are like mountains I would like to climb, but I am forbidden." Climb on!
Yeah but the humidity is low
The AAI Vinson expedition is making progress and may summit tomorrow. In one of the recent dispatches, Vern Tejas notes the wind was so strong they had to retreat and move camp to a more protected area. Antarctica is arguably one of the harshest environments on the plants. I recall my friend Borge Ousland talking about the hardships of his solo, unsupported traverse of the continent in 1996. He is one of the toughest humans out there. Take a look at his site for an education.
Location, location, location
One of the last Ama Dablam climbs is underway. Also from AAI, they report being at C2 with a summit bid in the next day or so. Good luck guys! Joe Acerao, AD summiteer, posted his pictures for all to enjoy. He has quite a collection. I especially like the one of C2 perched up high. Joe told me that AD was much tougher this year with less snow and more rock than in 2004.
Yes he did! No he Didn't! Yes he ...
The ongoing discussion about whether Mallory and Irvine made it or not continues to be a source of obsession for some people. Not that I am criticizing them, mind you. I find it intriguing to think the two Brits might have summitted Everest almost 25 years earlier than the Kiwi and Sherpa. But the debate has moved to a new level with the "Battle of the Everest Web Sites." MountEverest.net has hosted a series of rebuttals to the EverestNews.com never ending series of who did what when. Hey, all I want to know is if the helicopter really summited this year or not!
Pick a side
Speaking of debates, I am really enjoying the new Blog by Doug MacDonald. He is refreshing, has a point of view and is credible. However, he did pick a small fight with his complaint about National Geographic's Adventure Magazine selection of Ed Viesturs as "Adventure of the Year." As everyone knows, Viesturs completed the 14 8Ks without O's. Basically, MacDonald's point was that Ed was not the first and what he did was not all that special given the alternative adventures that await us out there (probably a dangerous paraphrase so you really should read it yourself). He writes "...True adventure, I think, requires breaking new ground." Coincidentally (or not) MountEverest.net published a story today about the "adventurer's" achievements.
Oh, And one more thing!
Finally in the world of mountaineering achievement, or lack thereof, there is a heated debate on my favorite climbing community site, SummitPost.net about the merits of supplemental oxygen in mountaineering. To be honest, I have not taken the time to read all SIX pages of the "Cheater! Liar!" dialog but it is clear that this subject evokes a lot of emotion in the climbing community. Maybe I will write an editorial on my views but for now, please let it suffice to say that I admire anyone who gets off their butts and climbs a mountain, any mountain, first, last, highest, shortest. In the words of a famous Philosopher" "Why can't we all just get along?"
Quake Victims need our help
Reports are already coming in about children dying in the earthquake zone on Kashmir. Wonderful progress has been made to get them tents but the needs outnumbers the supply by magnitudes. The American Alpine Club sent several tons of gear last week. Field Touring of Australia led a drive to donate over 4000 tents but more is needed. You can still donate coats, tents, blankets and sleeping bags via http://www.kashmirrelief.org and http://quakehelp.net.
