People dying on mt everest - is it normal to think it's normal?

95% Normal

Recently in the news a few people have died in their attempt to successfully climb Mt Everest.

This almost inevitably happens every year, in the brief climbing window towards the end of May.

Now of course that's sad and all, and may they rest in peace.
(Hopefully they get their bodies down instead of remaining 8km high, frozen solid until global warming really kicks in).

But the way the media reports these deaths, they sound surprised that people are dying climbing at 29000 feet (the 'death zone', the same altitude of a flying passenger jet).

Cold, hard statistics show that roughly 1 in 20 people die in the attempt.

So, looking at it another way, if you are in a pre-summit meeting with 100 people at base camp, statistically only 95 of them will make it back alive. 5 will die in the attempt.

People dying climbing Everest.
Is it normal to think it's normal?

Voting Results

95% Normal

Based on 40 votes (38 yes)

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Comments ( 26 )

dirtybirdy

7 years ago

They know what they're getting themselves into. What's worse is all the literal shit and garbage they leave behind. Fuck 'em.

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- Anonymous Post Author
  
  7 years ago
  
  Yeah I tend to agree.
  
  It's funny, I usually have compassion for most people, but I don't have a great deal of sympathy for people that die up there.
  
  It just seems to be the biggest ego trip in the entire world.
  
  And like you say they leave a LOT of shit (both literal and figurative) up there on the mountain. Frozen TURDS on Mt Everest. Forever.
  
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  - dirtybirdy
    
    7 years ago
    
    People pooping where they shouldn't be is a big problem. Don't even get me started on what all the asshole tourists assholes are doing to beautiful Iceland. Grrr
    
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lordofopinions

5 years ago

Many who die attempting to climb Mount Everest are ill equipped or high altitude acclimated to attempt the climb. I have no sympathy for them.

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bittermayonnaise

7 years ago

1 Australian dies, on holiday in Bali, every nine day's.

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- Anonymous Post Author
  
  7 years ago
  
  Probably from the crap food, or bogans riding motorbikes while wearing next to nothing and crashing head-on into a bus.
  
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  - bittermayonnaise
    
    7 years ago
    
    Dodgey Alcohol.
    
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mokuton

7 years ago

Its normal to think its normal cox they know the risks of climbing the mountain. Anyways it more deaths result in reducing population which is a good thing for the planet.

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Ass_gas

7 years ago

It's an interesting way to die. When I die, it will probably not be as interesting.

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Duderanch

7 years ago

Nuthin' new here they always have and they always will.

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CountessDouche

7 years ago

Yes, it's normal. I'm pretty sure the death rate at mount ev has been reduced to 4%, but I think most people who decide to engage on an expedition understand the rate of death and risk involved. If they don't, then that's what they get.

The news only reports it because it's a human interest story, and it garners interest, like every other news story. If it didn't, it wouldn't be covered.

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- Anonymous Post Author
  
  7 years ago
  
  The death rate sometimes fluctuates wildly from year to year. In the last 2 seasons alone I think 40 people have died due to avalanches etc.
  
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  - CountessDouche
    
    7 years ago
    
    Thanks- I didn't look it up to double check. I actually remembered the stat from the most retarded source ever, so don't even ask...
    
    But the same point applies; I don't think anyone would even begin an Everest mission without thorough research, so I'm sure that those who do know the statistics.
    
    The media's just out for a cool story, pun intended.
    
    Although, I must say, if I got froze ta death on the tallest mountain, I'd want people to leave me there...beats being buried, plus it's cool, and it would scare the shit out of other climbers.
    
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    - Anonymous Post Author
      
      7 years ago
      
      You'd be in good company, there's hundreds of frozen corpses on Everest. For the simple fact that when someone dies up there it's extremely difficult to recover their remains. Some of those dead bodies remain on the route up there and hundreds of climbers walk past them when they climb.
      
      You are right tho, the long term death rate is around 3 - 4%.
      
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      - VirgilManly
        
        7 years ago
        
        It's all the damn murderous yetis. They're very private.
        
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KingStephen

7 years ago

Have you read that novel by John Kraukauer? The one about climbing Everest. If not I suggest you do. Death for Mt Everest climbers? Totally normal.

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- Anonymous Post Author
  
  7 years ago
  
  Thanks for the tip! I downloaded the book and read it in a couple days. It was gripping.
  
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- Anonymous Post Author
  
  7 years ago
  
  Thanks. I'll check it out
  
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sandnigga

7 years ago

I might have to try this someday lol

The challenge is on!

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- Anonymous Post Author
  
  7 years ago
  
  Start saving. Costs a ton of money dude, $35k to $80k for a 1 in 20 chance of dying. I'd rather spend that kinda money on my various vices.
  
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  - Ellenna
    
    7 years ago
    
    I agree, that's a heap of $ to spend with those odds of never getting down again. If I had that sort of $ I'd put a deposit on a house and never have to pay rent again.
    
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  - sandnigga
    
    7 years ago
    
    holy crap? that much?!?! lol for climbing a stupid mountain? lol what?
    
    i'll just break in for free XD haha
    
    im not scared though. those odds are just odds. i know my own body. i know i can do this! :D
    
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    - lordofopinions
      
      5 years ago
      
      Why climb it? Because it's there. :)
      
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    - Anonymous Post Author
      
      7 years ago
      
      That's what everyone says and that's why they die up there.
      
      Here's a breakdown of what it costs. There's no real way to do it on the cheap.
      
      http://www.alanarnette.com/blog/2015/12/21/everest-2016-how-much-does-cost-to-climb-mount-everest/
      
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      - sandnigga
        
        7 years ago
        
        but im not like other people. i believe i have a stronger will than some people
        
        a permit to climb a damn mountain? -_- hell no
        
        $7000 dollars for permission to climb a mountain? lol no thank you. if anything, im busting in! haha
        
        grab a backpack, grab a coat and im ready to go! lol
        
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Terence_the_viking

7 years ago

Yeah if they are unprepared.

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People dying on mt everest - is it normal to think it's normal?