Via Ferrata On Everest?

By Jon

Overseas news in association with

Just when you thought Everest couldn't get more bizarre, the web site mounteverest.net is carrying a story saying that the Chinese /Tibetan Mountaineering Association's contracted rope fixing expert is intending to install Via Ferrata-style steps on rock sections high on the north side of the mountain.

Russell Brice's Himalayan Experience team has been contracted by the CTMA to replace the fixed rope on the mountain and has already replaced much of the fixed ropes lower down the mountain. Some 10,000 metres of static rope have been brought from Kathmandu, which gives some idea of the scale of the exercise. Now it seems that Swiss guide Kari Kobler is pressing to install six-inch long step bolts into pre-drilled holes on the first and second steps on the summit ridge.

The rationale behind the move is to speed up movement on the mountain and thus increase the safety of climbers....

You can read the full story on Mountain Everest.net, but it's fair to say that the whole affair calls into question just exactly what 'climbing' Everest now means.

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Discuss this article, 1 of 19 messages, read more:

Dave Mycroft

Posted: 27/04/05 18:15:06 06

If this was April 1st I wouldn't believe the story, but it's true!

Sure it's about time all the old bits of tat were removed and it makes sense that the teams have finally come up with a solution to the fixed rope problem that causes argument every year about who should pay - but a Via Ferrata!!!!

Personally I think it's the next step in over commercialising the mountaineering experience. Mountaineers have managed to overcome the traffic jams at the 1st and 2nd steps for years by careful planning and arranging their schedules with other groups - so why install an artificial aid unless it's to assist the commercial client?

Who's going to be the first to publish a via ferrata guide to the Himalyas?

Seriously though, I'm extremely ...

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