Now's the time to climb Mt. Everest!

[daniel]

Mt. Everest is growing at the rate of 1/4 inch per year. That means that in 48,000 years it will be a thousand feet taller than it is now. The last 3,000 feet, from Camp IV to the summit is so gruelling, that a mere 3,000-foot climb takes 12 hours.

Better climb it now, because in 48,000 years, when it's 1,000 feet higher, it may be impossible.

Of course, if you'd had the foresight to climb the mountain 48,000 years ago, when it was 1,000 feet lower, it would have been a piece of cake.

[dragonfly]

Where'd I put my snowshoes?

[naterprius]

Try not to trip over the dead bodies. About 188 of them, a few of which you have to step over, perfectly preserved in a frozen state of agony.

http://travel.guardian.co.uk/news/st...891086,00.html

Nate

[airportkid]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Nov 9 2006, 06:17 PM) [snapback]346679[/snapback]</div>

a mere 3,000-foot climb takes 12 hours.[/b]

It takes me longer than that down here at sea level!

If I ever get to the top of Everest it'll be in the tourist bus, once they build the eight lane freeway from Kathmandu to the summit.

Mark Baird
Alameda CA

[daniel]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(airportkid @ Nov 10 2006, 10:20 AM) [snapback]347017[/snapback]</div>

If I ever get to the top of Everest it'll be in the tourist bus, once they build the eight lane freeway from Kathmandu to the summit.
[/b]

I doubt an internal-combustion engine would function at 29,000 feet. It would have to be an electric railway. Probably a cog electric railway.

Note also that if a healthy person living at sea level were to be flown directly to the summit of Mt. Everest, he would be unconscious within minutes, and dead soon after, from the lack of oxygen.

The train would have to be pressurized, and you would not be able to get out at the top without a pressure suit.

And FWIW, the people who do climb Everest, and take 12 hours to get from 26,000 to 29,000 feet, even with supplemental oxygen, would probably climb from sea level to 3,000 feet in an hour, or maybe double that if they were carrying the same amount of weight.

[MarinJohn]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Nov 10 2006, 12:48 PM) [snapback]347082[/snapback]</div>

Note also that if a healthy person living at sea level were to be flown directly to the summit of Mt. Everest, he would be unconscious within minutes, and dead soon after, from the lack of oxygen.


[/b]

Now that makes my blood boil!

[Stev0]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Nov 10 2006, 02:48 PM) [snapback]347082[/snapback]</div>

I doubt an internal-combustion engine would function at 29,000 feet. It would have to be an electric railway. Probably a cog electric railway.
[/b]

Does that mean the first car to drive up Everest will be a Prius?

[Tom_06]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Nov 10 2006, 02:48 PM) [snapback]347082[/snapback]</div>

I doubt an internal-combustion engine would function at 29,000 feet. It would have to be an electric railway. Probably a cog electric railway.
[/b]

The first flight over Everest was between WW I and WW II, on April 3, 1933. I do believe you need a supercharger or such to boost manifold pressure. Still "plenty" of air, you are only above about 1/2 of the atmosphere.

CORRECTION: I misremembered a calculation done a long time ago. Actually at Everest's summit, you are above 2/3 of the atmosphere. Must have been base camp for 1/2. For more information, see: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/everest...e/without.html

- Tom

[Delta Flyer]

The 1st successful climb to Everest without bottled oxygen was in 1978. For people that are very-well conditioned living at high altitudes, it's possible to climb a day at 28,000-30,000 feet, but it's like diving for five minutes before coming up for air - the very edge of endurance.

Running at 14,000 feet is hard enough.....

[withersea]

I prefer a challenge. I'm going to wait 48,000 years until it's 1,000 higher.