China and a road up Mt Everest

by grimgraphix Jun 22, 2007 11:24PM PDT

China has announced plans to build a paved road with guard rail up to the 17000 foot (first base camp) of Mt Everest. This is purportedly because China plans on running the Olympic Torch to the top of the mountain to celebrate the Olympic games in Beijing. One suspects it is also to emphasize China's claim to Tibet as well since one might question why else you would want to take a glorified Bic lighter up the largest mountain in the world.

It will be interesting to see the contraption devised to keep the flame alight at that elevation, not to mention the very top.

Will the mountain climber carrying the torch be required to hold it up in the air the whole way up and back down?

Discussion is locked

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I reckon....

by Angeline Booher Jun 24, 2007 5:01AM PDT

...... they will need the road to get all of the TV crews and cameras from a lot of nations to cover it. Wonder how many "rest stops" will be needed on the journey.

Angeline
Speakeasy Moderator

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I have to smile

by JP Bill Jun 24, 2007 5:06AM PDT

when I think about the people that "conquer" Mt Everest.

The Guides make the trip many times and probably carry most of the gear.

It is still a real feat, but the guides should get more Atta'boys.

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The guides get paid

by Diana Former Forum moderator Jun 24, 2007 1:24PM PDT

That's how they make their living. Just like the guides down the Colorado River or the Black River or anywhere else. Probably do pretty well for the area.

That may be why the Tibetan is being taught again. Makes it sound more authentic. The Chinese don't do very well at that altitude anyway. I heard that they're children don't thrive. Probably takes a very long time to thrive at that altitude.

Diana

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Hi, Grim.

by Dave Konkel [Moderator] Jun 24, 2007 5:23AM PDT

Unfortunately, it's now more than a claim, and they don't need this road to emphasize it. We were in Lhasa three summers ago (first time I've ever been at really high altitude and felt it, though not as badly as a lot of people on the tour). Except for the old part of town, there are more signs in the Chinese language than tibetan. But they're actually relaxing the restrictions -- the temples are open (and big tourist attractions; it was really odd to get a mini-CD at the entrance to the Dailai Lama's Palace!) and accepting young novice again, and tibetan is again being taught in the schools. Like it or not, at this point talk of giving Tibet back to the Tibetans is about as valid as that of giving Oklahoma back to the Indians!

-- Dave K, Speakeasy Moderator
click here to email semods4@yahoo.com

The opinions expressed above are my own,
and do not necessarily reflect those of CNET!

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Prediction: The mountain

by drpruner. Jun 25, 2007 6:18AM PDT

will be there long after the politics are forgotten.

FWIW here's my take on Everest. I understand that the locals, who of course have their own name for it, have always considered it the 'king of mountains' or whatever. My question: How do they know? In the various pictures I've seen of the area, nearby peaks all look about the same size from village level. And once you're above 20,000 feet your main object is survival, not trigonometry. How did they know, long before the British survey/spy teams came to the Himalayas?

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Good question dr!

by grimgraphix Jun 25, 2007 6:32AM PDT

What was the first take by the locals when a European came along and said I'm here to climb that mountain?

"Already been done" or "are you %#*&$ crazy?"

You wonder when you see a picture of a building hundreds of years old built on a high peak or precipice just exactly what made them decide it was a good idea. Defense? Or did they just like the view?

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No farming on a precipice, so

by drpruner. Jun 25, 2007 7:06AM PDT

defense is usually the best guess. The other is 'to be closer to the heavens'; i.e., religious.

They usually think we're crazy.

They're usually right.

And with regard to other posts here: Tenzig Norgay is the only Sherpa name I have in memory. It's because of the worldwide publicity when he and Sir Edmund reached the top. So there is recognition. (And he's almost a god to his own people, I'm told.)

China and a road up Mt Everest

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