The Other Side of the Coin

This year National Geographic have been adding to the annual circus by following one of mountaineerings greatest actors Conrad Anker as he sets about walking up Everest with a bunch of North Face sponsored atheletes. Fine, people do it every year. But then in the comments I came across this:

"First of all congratulations to all of the climbers and their invaluable Sherpas who make these expeditions possible. Well Done! And thanks to the National Geographic for putting this together and making it possible for armchair explorers to almost be there. The photography alone was simply awesome. How about filling in the back story regarding Conrad Ankers decision not to summit because he was tired. Who believes this? This is an experienced, trained and well conditioned climber who backs off at the last moment because he's tired - I don't think so. And what about the Prima Dona Simone Morro who simply decides to take his toys and go home because it's too crowded. These would interesting stories."

Amazing! Someone experienced makes a good decision based on what is happening and that makes him a Prima Dona... wow. I guess the Everst Circus will be a tough one to deal with when we get such wisdom from Armchair Mountaineers such as this t***er. I wonder how many mountains Gerry Suchy (thas the genious behind the comment) has been up...

RANT OVER!

Too sissy apparently!

If you spend you life as a mountaineer and you are used to tackling mountains in small teams and otherwise mostly having a mountain to yourself then walking up Everest behind 200 people must really suck! 

Its like living in the country and then going to the highstreet for a walk!

I can't fail but be AMAZED by the recent photos of long snaking lines of people on the way up Everest.

Take a look at this video of what 300 people on summit day looks like!!

I agree! You read and hear about it but there is nothing quite like a photo!

OutdoorsMagic Editor | jon@outdoorsmagic.com 

did they turn back because they weren't wearing north face gear? or is north face's, and others, advertising misleading just a tad.

They were all wearing TNF gear Parky

Jon, I read the interview and thought he came across really well. I recon Simone and Uerli Steck are to me two of the most exciting climbers around with completely the right attitude, hence why I got annoyed about the prima dona comment. 

The Anker expedition is another one of his dramatised circuses. The climax being he wasnt going to summit because he was too tired from fixing ropes and a "5000 foot day"... only to make a "surprise summit" the the day after... Im surprised it wasnt on TV.