Everest avalanche kills at least 12 Sherpa guides

[TheSnitch]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-27075638

Terrible tragedy.

I can understand the lure of the mountain and why those who climb it are driven so to do. But I would need a much better reason than ''because it's there''

[Jasandjules]

I know a very quiet and fairly unassuming chap. He tried to conquer it. Ended up with altitude sickness at base camp. He still aims to try again.

It is like everything really, many people can't understand why we'd drive cars fast round a track.

[GadgeS3C]

Terribly sad and a reminder of the risks the Sherpas take to allow others to attempt their dreams.

[130R]

Everest is just an overcrowded tourist attraction now. Real mountaineers don't have someone else do all the work for them.

[Bill]

130R said:

Everest is just an overcrowded tourist attraction now. Real mountaineers don't have someone else do all the work for them.

Given the tragedy that's just occurred, and that about one in ten who attempt the summit die, that's a pretty crass over-generalisation.

[anonymous-user]

Bill said:

Given the tragedy that's just occurred, and that about one in ten who attempt the summit die, that's a pretty crass over-generalisation.

Actually it isn't, I don't know anyone who I class as a mountaineer who has climbed the SE ridge in 20years, in fact I think that given the general ethic rules that exist in mountaineering regarding 'aid'
commercial accents with oxygen should not be recognised. But that view doesn't retract from this being a tragedy.

[Bill]

Berw said:

Actually it isn't, I don't know anyone who I class as a mountaineer who has climbed the SE ridge in 20years,

Even if this were true, his comment is still a massive over-generalisation.

Berw said:

in fact I think that given the general ethic rules that exist in mountaineering regarding 'aid'
commercial accents with oxygen should not be recognised. But that view doesn't retract from this being a tragedy.

I don't disagree, but the rules are flexible and there are plenty of places where it's acceptable to use other people's fixed ropes, ladders and even bolts... I would say Everest is over commercialised and there are too many people climbing it without the experience to sort out problems for themselves when they occur.