MovieChat Forums > Everest (2015) Discussion > So what's the big deal?

So what's the big deal?

posted 8 years ago by adventurous420
17 replies | jump to latest

So I've heard a lot about mt everest and how its some big achievement if u climb it but in the movie I saw people walking up rather than climbing, so mostly they just walk up with guides?

and once you're there, the whether is so bad that you can't stay there for very long, can't even take a pic. They stayed for like few seconds and had to come down and all of that for what?

+ u have to pay for it like a lot (75k) and there is no guarantee that you'll make it back either not because its hard to climb but because of the climate and lack of oxygen so its not easy but overall it looks pointless and a waste of time even if u make it alive, the whole experience I assume won't be fulfilling.

I mean I personally would do it only if it was fulfilling. this doesn't look that it'll be even if you make it alive and even if you're rich.

also how would others know you've climbed the mountain? They give you some kind of certificate that you can hang in your living room, look it proves I climbed the mountain, lol

[–] johnston.scot 8 years ago

Well, mountain climbing, for the most part, is walking up a steep slope for a very long time. What makes it hard is the fact it's outdoors, and cold, and snowy and at an altitude where there's not much oxygen. That's pretty much the case with all mountain climbing. Many, many people climb Mt. Rainier and consider that they've accomplished something (though not nearly as much as as involved in climbing Everest) when all they did was walk up a steep hill. And there are some technical (i.e. not walking) sections on Everest, such as the Hillary Step. Not as much as some other mountains, but still....

FWIW, the weather shown in the movie is not typical. That's why they made a movie about those particular few days. Most people do not get caught in a storm that kills seasoned guides. Climbers do stay on the summit for more than a few seconds (though not a long time) and often take numerous photos.

Generally speaking, whether someone summited is somewhat on the honor system. The Nepalese ministry of tourism keeps a list of summiters, but obviously there's not some government official standing at the summit checking people's driver's licenses. Generally, it's policed - to some extent - by the guiding companies, though not everyone climbs with guides. Interestingly, just this year Nepal did crack down on some people who falsely claimed a summit.

[–] darylchapman-15753 8 years ago

Also, I don't think the OP gets what drives these people. I don't.

I assume, for most, it has very little to do with showing others what they achieved.

[–] LexKim 8 years ago

I wondered the same thing. I believe it is part of our psychology to achieve things of greater pursuit. It gives us the sense of accomplishment and adoration. A form of self justification and yes, it can be all part of our pet peeve.

[–] adventurous420 8 years ago

well I ran with the bulls in Pamplona as I found it exciting but when I actually did it, felt nothing like I thought I'd, in short it didn't satisfy me at all. Felt sick afterwards because i was awake all night so yeah we might think by doing this or that, it'll get us a sense of achievement or fullfilment but it might not, in most cases it doesn't.

specially in things like this.

now doing this, gets you other things because of this which really mean something then its different but for most people that doesn't happen.

[–] johnston.scot 8 years ago

I'm not sure there's really that much of a connection.

There was an article that appeared recently, in which the author tried to get at the motivation of mountaineers. His main point was to debunk the widespread belief that it has something to do with "thrillseeking" or an adrenaline rush. Actually, it's more the opposite. There's little to no thrills or adrenaline in mountain climbing. It's just a long, long slog. It's really the opposite of, say (just to go completely the other way), riding a roller coaster. On a roller coaster, you get the visceral sensation of danger, while you consciously know you're quite safe. Climbing you get the visceral sensation of trudging up a mountain, while you consciously know you're in danger. Consider also that most thrill-ish activities last for a period of time that's measure in minutes, while climbing Everest takes about a month. Mountain climbers, he believe, or motivated by a desirer to assert that they have control of a situation that they know they really don't have control over. Traditional thrillseeking is more about the visceral sense that you're out of control, when that isn't actually the case at all.

[–] johnston.scot 8 years ago

Here you go:

http://00t0holtgrav.iweb.bsu.edu/623/risktaking%20and%20motives.pdf

[–] pdlussier1 8 years ago

George Mallory and Sir Edmund Hillary, two well known mountaineers now forever associated with Everest, tried to give reasons for their obsession.

Mallory was part of the first ever British expeditions to Everest and eventually disappeared on the mountain in 1924; his body was discovered in 1999. There's much debate as to whether or not he made it to the top. Nonetheless, he gave us this very famous quote in response to 'why?': "Because it's there."

Hillary, a New Zealander who was part of the 9th British attempt, is recognized (along with his Sherpa--can't forget the Sherpas) as the first person to successfully reach the summit; his confirmed climb occurred in 1953. He gave this reason: "It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves."

If you can't relate with those reasons, or comprehend the depth of such answers, then, I fear you may never grasp the "why." And that's OK; different things drive different people and not everyone is motivated to accomplish extraordinary things. The ultimate reason, then, is a wholly personal one.

I myself am a climber. Given the chance, I'd be on that mountain in a heartbeat. It's an absolutely mad, irrational, physically taxing, and extremely costly undertaking. I know. Either it makes sense to you or it doesn't.

Ignorance is bliss... 'til it posts on the Internet, then, it's annoying.

[–] movie80 8 years ago

Great post, thank you pdlussier1.

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] leader (2103) 2 months ago

"because it's there" is not a good enough reason to literally risk your life, unless you are already suicidal.

[–] Statutory_Ape69 8 years ago

It's that dreaded human ego mixed with the fact that you would become a member of an elite and small group of people who have successfully reached the top of the world. Sure, there have been over 4,000 people on that summit you might say. BUT! There are over seven BILLION of us who will never get to go up there so yeah, it's still a small and exclusive club to belong to. However, therein also lies the problem for those types of folks. What do you do after conquering the highest mountain?? Everything else seems easy in comparison. And they are not the type to sit still and rest on their laurels. What's next for them? Outer space? And how many of that small group could afford THAT?? I think many of them will choose to do Everest again (and again). And some of them will die in that pursuit.

[–] leader (2103) 7 years ago

Then they deserve what they get. If they want a real challenge, they can just join a Gym. Now that's hard, but also makes you look good in the process.

[–] SafetySecond222 8 years ago

Some people just want an adventure, nothing wrong with that.

[–] jinojiwantenggara 8 years ago

also how would others know you've climbed the mountain? They give you some kind of certificate that you can hang in your living room, look it proves I climbed the mountain, lol

interesting.
few years ago some climbers from my country began campaigning to conquered 7 summits of the world of 7 continents (and they did). they claimed they bring nation's pride along with them. they gathered lots sponsors and they even showed up on national television.

I was so angry. What nation's pride? Just because they bring the national flag they called it nation's pride??

They did it because they want their names highlighted that they were the conquerors of 7 summit. Is there any competition on it? That was lot money they wasted! The money could be use for something much more useful, like invests the money to build a super football/soccer team, where there are lots of real competitions that many people would recognize.

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People only want to hear what they want to hear

[–] Gabe1972 8 years ago

You don't find it fulfilling and it holds no interest for you. That doesn't mean it doesn't for others.

It's a big deal for them.

It's the same with anything. Every person is different.

People love basketball. I find it to be one of the most boring possible ways to spend my time. Does that mean that others do, too? Of course not. Nor does my opinion of basketball make anyone else's any less or more.

Peoples' opinions are singular to them and only hold that much weight.

Time wounds all heels.

[–] brunnicles 8 years ago

Agree 100% with Gabe1972.

Also, jinojiwantenggara says:

"The money could be use for something much more useful, like invests the money to build a super football/soccer team, where there are lots of real competitions that many people would recognize."

Maybe, but if like me you don't give a crap about football/soccer, that would also seem like a pointless waste of money. Doing something that only a handful of people in the world have accomplished would be far more personally fulfilling.

[–] leader (2103) 7 years ago

It's for bragging rights and those facebook likes they get on the photos.