Musings on Bone Games

The Adventurist: Denied by Conrad Anker, Summit Stones, and More…

Denied by Conrad Anker

I recently contacted Conrad Anker about a possible interview for The Adventurist.  My feelings were that there had been alot of controversy surrounding him over his recent Everest Expedition and his supposed “First Free Ascent of the Second Step”, and well, to be quite frank, I wanted to know his thoughts and views on the situation as well as discussing his Irvine-Mallory obsession.  Well, I was denied.  Here is the email I recieved in return:

Thank you for your email. I am Conrad’s admin, Pamela. I am familiar with your website as it came up on the google tracking I did while Conrad was on Everest. I am sorry it took so long to get back to you, the emails have been piling up.

Conrad asked me to please convey his regrets that he is not able to set up an email interview at this time. There is a book associated with the expedition being written right now and his hands are full doing interviews with the author as well as trying to catch up with his North Face work after 10 weeks away.

The bad news is Conrad Anker won’t be having an interview featured here…but on a good note, he is obviously in the works on a new book about this expedition and they do know about The Adventurist.  Haha.

The Adventurist Featured on Summit Stones & Adventure Musings

One of my favorite sites, Summit Stones & Adventure Musings, has featured a very nice post regarding this site.  Here is a little bit of what DSD had to say today regarding The Adventurist:

When I first saw the Title: “The Adventurist”, I immediately had to visit that site… I loved the concept of an ‘Adventurist’..

J. Alan Hendricks promotes real enthusiasm and has a distinct objective of “Promoting exploration, education, and personal challenge through adventure” within his blog writings. The Adventurist started out in 2006, with an intention to advocate that, as Alan says, “Life is an adventure. Live it”..

Some very kind words.  To read the rest of this post and see what else DSD has to say about The Adventurist, click on over to Summit Stones & Adventure Musings.  Thanks DSD.

Check Out the New Links

I am always trying to bring you more information on this site.  I have recently added a few more links to the left hand column.  Check out some of these awesome sites:  BikingBis, Everest is Ours, Planet Fear, WingedSheep, Camping Earth, Boulderdash, CrimperMag, MountainProject, and SuperTopo. They are all worth a visit and each offer some great info in their respective fields.  All of these should be a great addition to this site and it is my pleasure to be offering their links here for your enjoyment.

A New Project in the works?

The Adventurist is looking to launch a new project in the coming weeks.  Stay tuned for more information as this project promises to be something special–thanks for stopping by and hope you enjoy your visit..

Summit Stones: Giving Back Adventure Joy

DSD over at Summit Stones & Adventure Musings has been embarked on a quest to bring a little bit of light to all of us Adventurers.  The mission is what it is..

DSD has seemingly been placing these very artistic stones where ever the adventure takes us..and part of the fun is discovering where they are found….Somehow DSD gets there first…haha

Nobody is really sure who DSD is..the website is pretty vague, only giving in to the cause:

My ‘Profile’…?

After being asked about this a few times in comments, I still am of the opinion that my profile is really not what this Blog is about…

I’m simply another average adventurer you might meet out on the trail, see wandering across the backcountry, maybe say hi to as we paddle towards each other, or share a few jokes at a common belay station…

What DSD does though, on the site, is emblazen that adventure spirit in all of us.  Those brightly colored stones, when found, become something more…a piece of an adventure….a wondering of who…it drives us to get out and find another, wondering where the story will lead.

The stones have been found in various places of adventure…mountain tops, trails, ect., and now these findings are also making their way across the web.

A recent topic in a forum on Outdoorsy.com brings this search and findings to light.  It is entitled “A Summit Stone.”

It is nice to know someone like DSD exists.  Someone who has embarked on the challenge of giving back something they consider small, yet has such a big place in our hearts.

As if the Summit Stones are not enough, DSD has also put together a very well written Website discussing this journey of Adventure that we all share.  Here is just a small piece…

Adventure is not just about the choice of activity, nor only about wilderness talent, or just one’s outdoor skills, and is not really at all about age… I used to think that to be an adventurer it was necessary to bag summits, count climbs, record stats, accumulate kayak exploits, even tally up many epics… but that kind of collecting, while serving a purpose, doesn’t always sustain us…

Adventure can be about being the person you want to be in a geographic place… as in what we may find in Geomancy… and that gets us closer to the essence of being an adventurer… as in what is reflected in our attitudes, desire, enthusiasms, and motivations… These things are more about energy, feelings, and emotions…

The next time you are wanting a heightening of spirits–something to really make you think—something to give you that new, refreshing bit of drive….head on over to Summit Stones and Adventure Musings, you won’t be disappointed.

The next time you are heading up that trail or looking over that mountain, remember that all great things won’t be seen above…take a momment to look down…perhaps you will even find a Summit Stone at your feet…

The Adventurist: A Call to All Outdoor Writers and Photographers!

I have just put the finishing touches on a new “Submit & Contact” Page here at The Adventurist.  I am hoping that this new feature will be accepted and used by all of my great readers.

This page goes into detail about a few things I am looking for here at The Adventurist–and ways you might be able to get involved.

Do you love Adventure Writing or perhaps Great Outdoors Photography?–Help me share your incredible talents with a much bigger audience!

Head on Over to the “Submit & Contact” Page, found on a tab right up above this article, and Share your Adventures with the World!

Also, if you are looking to put me to work, there is info there as well….

Cheers-

J. Alan Hendricks, Editor

$5000 Charge for Wilderness Rescue Ignites Debate–Again.

A Kansas man has been billed $5000 for a wilderness rescue after he injured his ankle while hiking along a steep hillside.

This debate has been raging for well over a year now–whether or not people in the wilderness, when accidents happen, should be liable to pay for their rescue.

Kansas is only one of a number of states who have been looking in to billing people that have come to need a rescue involving local authorities.  Colorado also has a similar law in place and one is also currently making the rounds in Utah.

The great Blog, Two-Heel Drive ran by Tom Mangan, tipped me off to the forementioned article featured in the June 18th issue of Rocky Mountain News discussing this incident, as well as the debate raging in Kansas.  You may read the whole article HERE.

As far as Colorado is concerned, there has recently been news that another individual will be billed $7500 for his subsequent rescue as well.

This is reigniting a big debate amongst outdoor enthusiasts.  Should they be charged or shouldn’t they?  I have already expressed my own opinion on this matter as it pertains to climbers needing rescued–(please see story posted HERE, for my opinion.)  How much is to much?

Alot of us go out and try to enjoy the peace and solitude of the outdoors for 1) it is great exercise, 2) it gets you away from the hustle and bustle of cities…and PEOPLE, and 3) It is alot cheaper to walk a trail then drive a car.

If all of us ran the risk of having to pay $7500 for rescue after a badly twisted ankle PLUS our own medical bills, would we still be outdoors?

Alot of the previous debate over this issue has occured mainly over climbers getting stranded high on mountains, as in the two incidents that have occured in the past year on Mt. Hood. More and more though, we as individuals are seeing this pop up for some things that seem–dare I say mundane?

I think the political motivation behind this issue has jumped from saving lives to making money, and in a sense, infringing upon our own freedoms to explore nature and the outdoors.

Perhaps a few people have taken advantage of the system.  Perhaps a few have ended up where they never should have been in the first place without the experience or guidance they needed to be there.  Is this a reason to Pigeonhole a whole section of the American population? Instead of going out to “Get Away From It All”, that “All” is slowly trying to step in and even take away the essence of being out there.

Read more

ExplorersWeb Taking a Stand…The Adventurist: A Call for Change

ExplorersWeb has published a very strong editorial today about people dying on Everest…Here is a question they pose:

“The questions is though, how many times will we have to witness a Kazakh, a Pole, a Spaniard or any other of the world’s foremost climbers rescue people in the death zone while we keep hearing amateur climbers (preferably Anglo-Saxon) and Everest business folks repeating into Discovery’s cameras that it’s impossible? “

This question of Ethics from such a highly public site as ExplorersWeb will definately be reverberated throughout the climbing community in the days ahead.

This Editorial comes on the heels of one I put up yesterday examining the same issue, yet in a slightly different way.

“David Sharp HAD to Die” goes in to detail about how the death of David Sharp is currently influencing the thoughts and a slight change of attitude that I think is taking place, regarding these high-altitude rescues and leaving people to die.

It is a controversial issue, I agree.

ExplorersWeb has called out a couple of people and expedition companies for the way that they handle their “business”, not only on Everest, but in the climbing community in general–when it comes to someone in trouble on the mountain.

I feel like change is starting to take place in the way people are now seeing these incidents–for years people have been told that in the Death Zone, that there is no chance for rescue…

Let me say that they may be right…but, how do you know that a life can not be saved unless you actually stop and give an effort?

Forty People walked by David Sharp.  Forty.  All on their personal mission to the summit.

I like to think that perhaps my editorial influenced ExplorersWeb to also express themselves publicly on this issue, but perhaps it isn’t an “influence”.  Perhaps there are more of us out there that are tired of seeing these people die needlessly–than was previously thought. 

IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE

In 2007, you can not tell me that we can not develope a system to get these people off of Everest or any other mountain where someone has been injured.

The technology is out there if people are willing to put it together in order to save a life.  The way rescues are carried out today is almost the exact same as it was twenty years ago.

A lot of people are influenced by what they hear–when they hear someone can’t be brought down from the Death Zone–they take that as fact, without questioning it, or for that matter, without trying.

The summit is the most important thing to those that are trying their luck at Everest.  Some that have been there say it isn’t, some that fail say it isn’t, but you would not spend that kind of cash to not have a shot at the summit–plain and simple.

Everest brings immediate fame and noteriety to those that succeed.  Everest is still portrayed as inaccessable, yet well over 200 people made it to the top last year alone.

If those 200 people had made a sacrifice of something that will still be there tomorrow–Everest’s Summit–then perhaps they could have saved even one life from perishing.

What is more important, The summit or a life?

Right now there are at least 4 different people having a lot of issues on Everest, according to their daily reports.  Some of them are so sick that they can do nothing but throw up, yet the summit lingers in their minds.  The summit. 

I can’t put all of the blame on the the one’s not in trouble.  The one’s in trouble sometimes put themselves in the position that they eventually find themselves in.

If you are unhealthy.  If your sickness has lasted longer than 2 days…then get off the mountian.  Your body obviously is already at the breaking point.  Suck it up and make a decision, get down to a lower level, and live to climb another day.

Everest eats people.  If you aren’t prepared in every way possible, you stand a good chance of dying come summit day.

Everyone needs to come together on this issue and take a stand.  People have died needlessly–people have been left behind.  Without making a second guess about these situations, people will continue to die needlessly.

Responsibility and Death on Everest: A Response Comes In…

Yesterday I posted an editorial titled “Responsibility and Death on Everest”.  I am not going to go back and rehash what was said, but I will let you click the title and read it for yourselves.

It seems like this issue is drawing some interest here as well as possibly opening up further dicussions in the climbing community.  My good friend Kraig over at “The Adventure Blog” quickly linked up to the story and shared his opinion on the issue I raised on his own site.  I thank him for sharing his personal insight into this discussion.

I have also been contacted by Jake Norton from Mountain World Productions.  Now those of you not familiar with Jake or his incredibly enlightening personal blog are in for a treat!

Here is a little background on Jake.  Jake Norton is an Everest Veteran.  He has been on five seperate expeditions to the world’s highest mountain, including 2 successful summits.  He has also participated in many expeditions all around the Himalayas.  Jake has been a mountain guide since 1993 working with some of the best companies in the business including Rainier Mountaineering and International Mountain Guides (IMG) to name a few.  Jake now spends his time as a professional climber, speaker, and photographer while also maintaining his Blog “The MountainWorld Blog”.

Here is what Jake Norton had to say about “Responsibility and Death on Everest”–

Thanks for your great post, and your excellent articles - lots of great information out here, and it is nice to see good opinion, thoughts, and ideas on Everest and climbing in general in a new format with fresh ideas! (And, thanks for the link to The
MountainWorld Blog!)

As an Everest veteran (5 expeditions, 2 summits, and many other trips to the Himalaya), I had some thoughts to share regarding the expedition leaders on Everest, Russell Brice, etc. Read more

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BREAKING NEWS! MT. EVEREST CLAIMS FIRST LIFE OF 2007. UPDATED 12:13 pm 04/26/07

It is being reported today, April 26, 2007, that Mt. Everest has claimed it’s first life of 2007.

Details are still sketchy at this moment as this story is just beginning to break, but it seems that a sherpa has been killed on Mt. Everest while making his way to camp 3 on the Everest’s famed South Col Route. 

At this time it is being noted that only 1 person was involved in this accident and that it did involve a big ice block falling…(UPDATE:  Everestnews.com reported the big iceblock falling, on the other hand Paul Adler, whom this story originated from said it was an avalanche and that it occured on the Lhotse Face.)

More details of today’s tragedy will be given when more is known.  Please stay tuned…

As always after a mountain tragedy The Adventurist will go in to “black mode” for the next 3 days in respect and in mourning for this fallen climber.  I personally wish his family, friends, and the climber community my prayers upon hearing todays tragic news.

UPDATE:  Alan Arnette is reporting that the Sherpa was with the Thamserku Team, a local expedition company out of Kathmandu. 

Alan was contacted this morning by Paul Adler’s team about the situation so for more please visit his site  Alan Arnette

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“One World, One Dream, Free Tibet 2008″

The above slogan landed 5 Americans in some deep trouble today on Mt. Everest’s North Basecamp as Chinese authorities detained them for protesting the Chinese Olympic Torch run up Mt. Everest for the 2008 Olympics.

It is pretty wide spread news that China is currently holding a “practice run” of the torch ceremony this season on Everest.

The activists, all members of “Students for a Free Tibet”, were staging a protest involving banners that proclaim ” One World, One Dream, Free Tibet 2008″.

The Chinese Olympic slogan for 2008:  “One World, One Dream.”

Many people have began to raise an issue with China over their use of Tibet as a site for part of their Olympic Torch run.  The activists claim that China’s use of Mt. Everest is being done to undermine the real issue of the people of Tibet, and that is their freedom and their country back.

For more on this, I will send you over to the Associated Press’ great story found HERE.

At this time, it is not currently known what will happen to these american activists.  It has been noted though that their passports have been taken away and they are still being held.

An ongoing battle has been raging since 1951 when China first came to occupy Tibet. 

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Responsibility and Death on Everest: An Adventurist Editorial

I am finding something a little bit disturbing as the 2007 Everest climbing season takes shape.  First, I am going to post three little snippets and then I will go in to more detail:

“Gazing up at the Col we were mesmerized by the slow train of “black dots”, gasping their way higher - sometimes so close together they looked conjoined. It looked to me as there were far too many climbers per rope section for things to be “safe” - it would only take one to slip and fall, dragging others, for the anchors to be ripped free from the ice owing to the obvious overload.”  David Tait

“Betsy raised everyone’s eyebrows when she tried to attach her crampons to her boots upside down. “I’m not a climber,” she later admitted, qualifying that ten years ago she wore crampons on a trekking peak in Nepal, but that guides and Sherpas had looked after her climbing needs.”  Discovery Channel Everest Team Blog

“Everest isn’t the place to learn how to climb. Betsy misrepresented her mountaineering experience to me.”   Himex Expedition Leader Russell Brice

First off, David Tait’s comment is not surprising.  I have mentioned previously how crowded Everest was going to be this season.  There are pretty close to 1,000 people on Mt. Everest right now stationed in various camps.

What does surprise me is that after so many previous problems with Expeditions trying to manuever large groups of people on Everest–that they are still doing this.  This is looking for a disaster! 

The ropes these climbers are currently using to move their way up higher on Everest are not made to support weight.  Yes, they are anchored in the ground…well, in ice and snow anyways, but as we all know ice and snow has a tendency to shift and melt.  These ropes are suppose to be used as guide ropes to keep people on track and let them know where they are going.

And David is right, one false move by someone higher up and…well it is just a disaster waiting to happen.

Secondly, David Tait is climbing with Russell Brice’s Himex team, which by the way is being filmed by The Discovery Channel this season for another episode of Everest: Beyond the Limits.

It seems that the Himex team, and maybe this is due to more publicity coming their way with the Discovery crew on hand, is having a problem with a couple of people and their general knowledge and know-how of mountain climbing.

With Russell Brice’s previous experiences on Everest it would seem that he would be taking better precautions against disaster, especially when his own Expedition Company is involved.

I don’t know Russell personally.  I have read about Russell though in print and on the internet and many people are pretty harsh on their feelings with him–the reasonings, I am not so sure of.  I know he was there for the David Sharp tragedy and I also know people were very critical for the way he handled things early on with this tragic death.

Everest has a magic that draws people in.  The life and death challenge–the struggle to accomplish something enormous in the world and leave a legacy of sorts behind.

A lot of people have questioned why some of these “inexperienced” climbers are allowed to attempt something that has brought about so much death to even some of the greatest of climbers, Rob Hall and Scott Fischer in ‘96 for example.

Plain and simple, money and prestige.  These companies earn tens of thousands of dollars per person for a try at the elusive and sometimes deadly Everest summit.

If disaster strikes someone with little experience, it is chalked up to “inexperience”, but my feelings on this are that the Expedition leaders must have a responsibility to know their clients and also know that their clients have previous experience in these sorts of situations.

Should a climber be blamed if they do perish on the mountain or should the Expedition leader in some way be held responsible if it is shown to be caused from a lack of experience from a climber on their team?

These are both tough questions.  The Expedition leaders are running a business.  They make money doing this for a living.  If someone asks me to take them to Everest and offers me $75,000 to do so, you bet I would do it.  Experience or no experience, $75,000 is a lot of money to turn away.

On the other hand, these people that are paying for this “experience” are buying the knowledge and know-how of these great climbers–in other words, putting their lives in someone else’s hands–and hoping that they may have an attempt to summit Everest.

Yes, everyone knows Everest can be deadly.  Every year people perish trying to accomplish their dreams, but year after year, more and more people are flocking for the opportunity that these climbs offer.

I personally feel that it should be the responsibility of the Expedition leaders to know who they are leading…and also have a say if that person should be allowed to continue on.  If one person puts themselves in danger, that is one thing.  If one person puts a whole party of say 20 people in danger than that person should be held accountable for their actions and not allowed to continue on.

As these climbing expeditions seem to get bigger and bigger every year, so are the inherit dangers.  As David Tait mentioned–one false move- and 20 people could die.  Who should be held responsible?  Plain and simple–the Expedition Leaders.

They are the ones in command.  They know the ins and outs of Everest like no one else–and they are being paid to provide the services they are giving. 

The Expedition leaders know, or they should anyways, when things are not looking good.  Twenty people on one line–the expedition leader should be held responsible for not sending up “groups” rather than the whole army at once, so to speak, and putting so many people’s lives in unnecessary danger.

I am not bashing on Himex or Russell Brice. These same scenes of overcrowding and climber “inexperience” are taking place in different camps and expeditions all over Everest at this time.  I am just afraid that hindsight is not being evaluated as strongly as foresight and it will continue to be this way until more lives are lost in what bystanders will later call a “predictable tragedy”.

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