Degree of Difficulty

With the end of 2005 approaching a couple of "Best Of" lists are starting to be published. First there is the Best of 2005 from MountEverest.net. This has become an annual event where they select the best expeditions from an incredibly wide range of adventures. Not only do they consider mountain climbing but also polar expeditions, ocean crossing and space travel. I guess they don't call themselves Explorersweb for nothing! The current list has the honorable mentions with the top 10 to follow soon. It makes for interesting and entertaining reading during the holiday doldrums.

Mountain.ru reports on the nominees for the Piolet d'Or 2005.The site does an excellent job of summarizing the nominees which are:
Nanga Parbat, Rupal Face, 8125m, Pakistan
Broad Peak, 8047m, Pakistan
Chomo Lonzo, 7540m, Tibet
Khumbu express, Cholatse, Tawoche, Ama Dablam, the Himalaya
Cerro Murallon, 2831m, Patagonia
Cerre Torre, 3128m, Patagonia

As I read these reports I am always struck with the courage, resourcefulness and imagination in the human spirit. It is easy to get pulled down by all the scandals and negative news we are exposed to every day, but these reports remind us that there is a huge world out there remaining to be explored. What I climb pales in comparison to these climbers. They take on new routes, harsh conditions, limited equipment and budget and practically no support. They are climbers that represent the best in our sport. Climb on!

Courage and Knowledge

While these "climber's climbers" are being celebrated, the family of a young British climber who died on Everest six years ago is suing according to this report from the Times Online. The 22 year-old died on the decent while with Out There Trekking (OTT) who changed their name to Alpine Mountaineering and now is defunct. This is something I would not be surprised to see in the the law-suite happy United States but in the UK? If they win this, look for all guiding companies to raise their fees dramatically in order to buy more expensive insurance.

It is always sad when someone dies doing what they love and my condolences go out to his family. I have been a strong advocate for guiding companies to run safe and professional expeditions but I have always appreciated the non-US companies "big boy" theory of climbing: You know what you are getting into, stuff happens and you need to be self sufficient - especially if you are attempting a Hill like Everest.

http://www.alanarnette.com