MT. EVEREST CLASS
PRESENTATION
Into Thin Air
by Jon Krakauer
Who is John Krakauer?
Who is Jon Krakauer?
Born April 12, 1954 in Brookline, MA.
Background:
-Graduated from Corvellis High School
1972.
-Graduated from Hampshire College in
1976.
- 8 years old when he did his first major
climb.
-Willi Unsoeld was his childhood hero.
Climbing Career:
- After he graduated from Hampshire, he
spent time climbing mountains across
North America.
- After a few years, he moved on to climb
mountains in Asia, South America, and
Antarctica.
- Climbed Mount Everest in 1996 with Rob
Halls Group.
Jon Krakauer’s Writing:
Eiger Dreams released in 1990.
Iceland was also released in 1990.
Into Thin Air was released in
1997 and was an expansion of
his article in Outside Magazine.
This book was based on his
journey to the top of Everest.
Into the Wild was released in
1996, and was made into a
movie in 2007. This book spent
two years as a New York Times
Best Seller.
Where Men Win Glory:
The Odyssey of Pat
Tillman was released in
2009. This book is about
the former NFL player
who died serving our
country in Afghanistan.
Under the Banner of Heaven
was released in 2003, it was
his Third non-fiction
bestseller.
Three Cups of
Deceit is his
most recent
book, released
in 2011.
What and Where are
the Himalayas?
About the Himalayas
● between Tibet and India, on
Nepal
● one of the youngest mountain
ranges in the world
● has some of the highest
mountains in the world
● has glaciers, rivers, and
forests
More Info on the Himalayas
● stretches 1,550 miles
west to east
● stretches 125-250 miles
north to south
● 110 peaks are taller than
24,000 feet
● tallest peak- Mt. Everest
(29,028ft)
What is Mt Everest?
Geology, Elevation, and Climate
Climate and Elevation
-The elevation is 29,092 (8,848m)
-The average summit temperature is about
-39(c) but it can drop it low as -76(f)
Geology
-5.5 miles high from sea level
-Divided into 3 formations separated by faults
-Made up of sandstone, siltstone, sedimentary,
granite and metamorphic rocks
What does it cost to
Climb Mt. Everest?
Training and Costs
Course & Trek Costs
➢ Total Costs come out to about $300,000
➢ Company Escort Costs about $65,000
➢ Private Package: Imported Chief & constant access to
Instagram
➢ Climbing Permits out of Nepal costs $70,000 for Seven
People, $25,000 for One Per
Gear & Costs
➢ Total Gear Costs about $7,000
➢ Oxygen Costs = $500 per bottle, Oxygen Mask = $440 per mask
➢ Wifi Bill about $4,000
➢ Permit Fee 11,000
➢ Immunization costs $200
Yak to carry gear to BC 150/day
What are some notable expeditions that
have been taken up Mount Everest?
George Leigh Mallory
● In 1924 George L. Mallory who was 37 years
old climbed 26,000 feet without an oxygen
tank.
● George disappeared on the same expedition
in 1924.
● His body was found May 1st 1999
Pemba Dorjee Sherpa
(NEPAL)
● Pemba Dorjee herpa set the record for the
fastest Everest ascent
● He climbed Mount Everest it in 8 hours and 10
minutes on May 21 2004
How do you climb Mt
Everest?
Path[s] to the Summit
Mt. Everest Paths
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♥ reliable source: mounteverest.net & ehow.com ♥
& www.cntraveler.com
Many people decide to fly in a helicopter
because they do not want to have to go
through the dangers and risks of climbing
the mountain.
Elevation = 29,029’
Approx. 1,200 people of 6,000 people
have been successful to climb this
mountain.
235 have died trying. (2013)
Before you climb, you must pass various
classes or training sessions before you
actually face the task of the climb
● Takes 2-3 years of regular training
● Steep mountains, rough rocks, night climbs, ice falls and snow climbs
● 18 routes to reach the top
● You must be aware of natural happenings, such as winds, avalanches, and other natural
disaster and the weather
● Best time to climb: in May at sunrise
● There are four camps located on the mountain. They are located approx. 3,000’ apart,
along one of many routes and takes 5-8 hours to reach from one to the other
8000 Meter Peaks
What are they ?
● Mountains that reach 8000
meters or more above sea level
● They are the world’s 14 highest
mountains
● 8000ers all lie in the Lofty
Himalayan in Karakoram in
Central Asia
● Even though there the highest
peak, the difficulties of
climbing the mountains vary
Site: Wikipedia
The fourteen 8000ers
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Cho Oyu
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Everest
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Dhaulagiri
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Gasherbrum ●
Lhotse
Annapurna
K2
Kangchenjunga
Makalu
Mansulu
Nanga Parbat ● Shishapangma
Broad Peak
Gasherbrum II
Who are the Sherpa?
What are Sherpas?
❏ An ethnic group that lives in the Himalayan region of
Nepal
❏ They live in the Khumbu Valley seen below
❏ They are mostly a Buddhist culture
❏ Their names are based of the day of the week they
were born on
What are the roles of Sherpas?
❏ Regarded as elite mountaineers and experts in their
local terrain.
❏ They were immeasurably valuable to early explorers of
the Himalayan region
❏ Served as guides.
Who is
Tenzing
Norgay?
Brief Background
● Established May 29th, 1914.
● Tenzing was a Sherpa, from Khumbu, Nepal.
● Norgay’s life revolved
around climbing, and all
13 of his brothers and
sisters were Sherpa’s as
well.
● Tenzing married 3
different times, and had
7 children..
Climbing Accomplishments
● At age 19, Norgay had set out to make history.
● Partnered up Edmund Hillary in 1952.
● Together they trained to
conquer the Mt. Everest.
● On May 29th, 1953 Norgay and
Hillary reached the summit of
Mt. Everest (2nd man to
reach peak, behind Hillary).
● He continued to climb, then
died on May 9th, 1986.
What was Rob Hall’s role in
the 1996 Everest Expedition
Background and what did
Rob Hall do?
● New Zealand Mountaineer
● Grew up in New Zealand
● Company, Adventure
Consultants, guide people up
the mountain
● Head guide of 1996 Everest
Expedition
● 5 summit to Everest
● climbed the 7 summits in 7 days
1996 Disaster and his death
● 8 clients and 3 guides
● many delays due to weather
● client, Doug Hansen refused to go down
the mountain. Hall went to assist him
● Andy Harrison went to help the men
but never made it up, and went missing
● Hansen died
● Rob Hall died from Hypothermia on the
south summit of Mount Everest
What is H.A.C.E.
High Altitude Cerebral Edema
Characteristics
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medical Condition
The brain swells with fluid because of the effect of high altitude
Occurs when body fails to acclimate while ascending into high
altitudes
signs include: confusion, change in behavior, a drunk stager(ataxia)
Diagnosis and Prevention
- patient with Edema should
be given oxygen
- bring down to lower
altitude levels
- recovery varies between
days and weeks
Recommended Gear on
Everest
Climbing Equipment
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Ice Axe: 60-80 cm (depending on height)
Crampons- with 1 extra pair
Carabiners- 2 large locking
20 ft. of webbing
20 ft. of 6 mm. perlon cord
● 2 ascenders/ rappel device
● water purifier
● GPS receiver
● oxygen system: 6 cannisters
Clothing Needed
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Synthetic fleece jacket
Down suit, pants and jacket (with hood)
Waterproof/ breathable pants and jacket
Wind shirts (A.K.A windbreaker)
(Optional) one piece climbing shell
Boots and several pairs of socks
High altitude boots with inner/outer layer