TV of the Day

[realexplodingcat]

A danish asthmatic and man with no legs both climb a mountain. One says to the other, "We're gonna die up here." "Great! Let's take a picture!"

I watched the first season of Discovery Channel's Everest: Beyond the Limit. If you are remotely curious about mountaineering, it's worth watching. This first season follows a team of climbers making a summit attempt on Everest in 2006, a notorious year in the mountain's climbing history, when a large number of deaths occurred, one of which was a highly publicized story that brought a fair amount of negative attention to this extreme sport.

While climbing Everest remains at the outer limits of human ability, it is getting increasingly accessible through technology and experienced expedition leaders. I won't be surprised if sherpas open a gift shop in the death zone someday to take advantage of the traffic.

Comments

[drcuriosity]

You'd be aware of the Sir Edmund Hillary news, I hope..?

[explodingcat.livejournal.com]

Indeed, I am.

There must be a lot of climbers in New Zealand. This TV show follows an expedition led by New Zealander Russell Brice which includes Mark Inglis, a New Zealand climber with no legs.

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Everest itself is getting almost passe. K2 seems to be the remaining true challenge.

[explodingcat.livejournal.com]

Right. While not the highest, K2 is definitely the hardest. It's a more technical climb. From what I understand, Everest is accessible by amateur climbers. As long as you're in top physical condition and have the support of an experienced expedition leader, most of Everest is a long cold walk up a very steep hill.

[karenthecroccy.livejournal.com]

the second season was sort of anticlimatic if you know what I mean ...

I had to laugh at the Sherpa Shop idea. ;)

[explodingcat.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen all of the second season. Unfortunately, the one episode I did see was the last one. So, I haven't decided whether or not to watch the rest of it, since I already know the happy ending. Does it cover new ground at all, as far as additional facts or more in-depth facts regarding the climb?