Remains of deceased individuals can be found on Mount Everest, yet hundreds of adventurers are still choosing to ascend it this season.
## The Exhilarating Terrain of Mount Everest
That behemoth called Mount Everest stands at a staggering height of 29,032 feet (8,849 meters) between Nepal and Tibet in the mighty Himalayas. It's a peak that soars above most clouds in the sky, appearing like a dream. But let me tell you, reaching its summit isn't just a walk in the park. It's a journey filled with challenges that require great determination and endurance.
The Perilous Ascent of a No-Guarantee Mountain
Climbing Mount Everest isn't a piece of cake. It takes months, even years, of rigorous training and physical conditioning, yet the success rate doesn't always assure the summit. Unfortunately, more than 300 people have lost their lives on this mountain. Still, it's unbelievable how many adventurists are drawn to its peak every spring. Do you know why? Read on to discover what motivates them and what it takes to scale this awe-inspiring mountain.
'I Foolishly Believed I Was Prepared'
Meet Dr. Jacob Weasel - a trauma surgeon who summited Everest in May after toiling for nearly a year to get ready for the ordeal. Recalling his false sense of confidence, he told CNN, "I would put on a 50-pound backpack and do two hours on a stair stepper with no problem. So, I thought I was in pretty good shape." Little did he know that he had undershot the requirements needed to ascend Everest.
Forget free breathing at such heights. He was stunned to find that every five steps, he had to pause for half a minute to a few minutes to catch his breath due to the deficient oxygen supply.
Before attempting to climb this harrowing peak, climbers follow a process called acclimatizing rotations to adjust their lungs to the thinning oxygen levels. This involves repeatedly traveling to Everest's designated camps and spending days there. This process, repeated twice, significantly enhances the chances of reaching the summit while maintaining their survival.
Dr. Weasel had scaled several other peaks before, including the tallest mountains in Africa (Kilimanjaro), Ecuador (Chimborazo), and South America (Cotopaxi), and most recently the Andes (Aconcagua) in January. But Everest tested the limits of his physical fitness.
"Because no matter how well you are trained, once you reach your body's limits, it gets tough," the doctor said.
At its peak, Everest struggles with sustaining human life, requiring mountaineers to use supplementary oxygen levels higher than 23,000 feet. The biggest threat comes from the lack of oxygen. As climbers escalate, oxygen levels drop to less than 40%. The ‘death zone’ looms above this mark, where climbers face an extreme oxygen shortage, bone-chilling temperatures, and intense winds that can sweep a person off the mountain.
'The Challenges Were Suffocating'
The path to Everest's summit begins with two weeks of arduous trekking to its base camp at about 17,000 feet. From there, climbers head toward the three remaining camps perched atop the mountain.
Camp four, functioning as the last stop before the peak, is located at 26,000 feet, positioning climbers in the dangerous 'death zone.' The air is extremely thin here, temperatures drop to near-zero, and winds powerful enough to knock down a person can be found. Under such conditions, Dr. Weasel shared, "It's difficult to survive up there."
Tragic incidents are common, with frozen bodies of climbers, who couldn't make the cut, looking eerily preserved due to the frigid temperatures. "I've seen more death and loss of life than most people," Dr. Weasel informed. "Mount Everest was a stark reminder of how fragile life is, triggering even more motivation and appreciation for the opportunity."
One of the prevalent ailments climbers encounter during their ascent is high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE). HACE happens when the brain craves oxygen, resulting in the brain swelling. This condition makes mountaineers lethargic, challenging their ability to talk and think clearly. Visual and auditory hallucinations are frequently reported during HACE, and several climbers have even seen faces of friends arising from the rocks.
Dr. Weasel recalled coming across one of his friends stranded on the mountain due to an injury. Sobbing, he said, "I remember staring at her for like five minutes and saying, 'I'm so sorry.' I've dedicated over a decade of my life to saving people through surgery, and here I was, unable to help someone in need. The feeling of helplessness hit me hard."
The friend, Orianne Aymard, survived, albeit with several fractures in her foot and acute frostbite on her hands. Believe it or not, she's counted lucky. It's a reminder that a tremendous will and side-stained resistance against the deadliest of elements is the prime requirement for mountaineers aiming to conquer Mount Everest and survive.
Adventurers scaling Mount Everest on May 7, 2021. ### 'Their bodies will remain frozen to the summit'
Everest has a long history of claiming the lives of climbers who have fallen victim to treacherous conditions or accidents on its slopes.
When a fellow climber is seriously injured or dies on the mountain, it's common to leave them behind if you're unable to assist them, according to Alan Arnette, an experienced mountaineer who reached the peak in 2014.
"Most teams will move the body out of sight as a sign of respect," he said. But this isn't always possible.
"Sometimes it's impractical to move them due to the harsh weather conditions or because their bodies fuse with the mountain," Arnette explained to CNN. "It's extremely difficult to move them in such situations."
Seeing a deceased climber on Everest is similar to witnessing a horrific car accident, said the mountain guide. "You don't turn back and leave immediately," he said. "You slow down, pay your respects, or even offer a prayer for the deceased, and then continue."
10 years have passed since the deadliest accident on the world's highest summit – an avalanche claimed the lives of 12 Sherpa guides. 2023 marked the deadliest year on the mountain, with a total of 18 lives lost – including five victims who remain unaccounted for.
Recovering bodies from Everest is a complex, often impossible task. Helicopter rescues and search missions are hindered by the extreme altitude and hazardous conditions, leading to some rescuers losing their lives while trying to save others.
'The sense of grandeur at 29,000 feet'
The 3,000-foot ascent from Camp Four to the summit often takes between 14 and 18 hours. Climbers normally start the journey in the dark.
"It was freezing cold the entire night," recalled Jacob Weasel. "It's dark, windy, and you're not sure what you're going to encounter." But the effort paid off in the morning.
"Watching the sunrise from 29,000 feet, observing the shadow of Mount Everest cast upon the valley below," Weasel shared with CNN. "It's one of the most incredible sights I've ever seen."
"There's a special feeling as you stand at that elevation," he continued. "It's a mix of humility and connection with something much larger than yourself – a powerful way to approach life."
Arnette also scaled Everest during sunrise, describing the experience as "overwhelming."
"The vastness of the mountain is awe-inspiring," Arnette remembered. "I've never felt so small. That combination of humility and connection with something greater than yourself is crucial."
After about 20 minutes to an hour at the summit, climbers usually begin their descent back to the mountain's base.
Jacob Weasel ### 'Greater than yourself'
Before embarking on his journey to Nepal, Weasel was gifted an eagle feather as a reminder of his Native American roots.
Determined to honor his heritage, Weasel planned to plant the feather on the summit "as a symbol of our people and their resilience in the face of adversity, demonstrating that our spirits are intact."
"When I placed the eagle feather on the highest point on the planet, I felt an immense sense of honor and privilege," he told CNN. "I chose to climb Everest to show young Native children and my tribe that anything is possible."
Climbing Everest is only justified, according to Weasel, if the cause is greater than personal motives.
"The reason I climbed Everest was to inspire my people and show them that they too can achieve great things," said Weasel.
Arnette aimed to summit Everest on his third attempt.
"During my first three tries, I didn't have a clear reason for climbing," Arnette admitted. "But when my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, my perspective changed. I climbed to raise money for Alzheimer's research and honor my mother's memory."
Approximately 300 climbers have been granted permits to climb Mount Everest this year, as stated by Arnette. "The number of climbers has decreased from previous years," he noted. "I believe this is partly due to the 18 deaths in 2022, and climbers realizing that Mount Everest is a treacherous mountain."
Arnette remains a firm believer that climbing mountains can transform your life. "I'm a strong proponent of the theory that you return home as a better version of yourself after facing these challenges," he told CNN.
"Mount Everest has become too commercialized, though," Arnette added. "People tend to focus on the danger and the litter on the mountain. The reality is, it's only a minor issue. The joy and the experiences derived from climbing make it worth the risk."
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Source: edition.cnn.com
