Just being on the mountain in any respect has produced a death rate of 1.3 percent.  Over half of those who successfully summitted have died on the way down.

Doubtful.  Normally, I'd agree with the sentiment such as this about exploration, but Everest is a different animal.  It's incredibly unlikely anyone had ever been to the top until Norgay and Hillary (and perhaps Mallory and/or Irvine).  The sheer logistics of getting to the mountain, let alone the actual attempts to…

Doubtful.  Normally, I'd agree with the sentiment such as this about exploration, but Everest is a different animal.  It's incredibly unlikely anyone had ever been to the top until Norgay and Hillary (and perhaps Mallory and/or Irvine).  The sheer logistics of getting to the mountain, let alone the actual attempts to…

Irvine was actually showing to be a very capable and strong climber, despite not having high altitude experience.  Plus, he was an engineering student, not a medical student.  He had managed to modify and improve the rather faulty oxygen systems throughout the expedition, and likely Mallory felt his skills in keeping…

Irvine was actually showing to be a very capable and strong climber, despite not having high altitude experience.  Plus, he was an engineering student, not a medical student.  He had managed to modify and improve the rather faulty oxygen systems throughout the expedition, and likely Mallory felt his skills in keeping…

Not unless hypothermia sets in.

Not unless hypothermia sets in.

I've been reading a ton of mountaineering books lately.  Lost on Everest: The Search for Mallory and Irvine was the last one I finished.  Before that, I re-read Krakauer's Into Thin Air and right now I'm on Ed Viestur's K2: Life and Death on the World's Deadliest Mountain.

I've been reading a ton of mountaineering books lately.  Lost on Everest: The Search for Mallory and Irvine was the last one I finished.  Before that, I re-read Krakauer's Into Thin Air and right now I'm on Ed Viestur's K2: Life and Death on the World's Deadliest Mountain.

Or basketball.  Kevin Love is a PF in the NBA.

Or basketball.  Kevin Love is a PF in the NBA.

I have nothing to add about what you said, but your avatar is terrifying.

I have nothing to add about what you said, but your avatar is terrifying.

Oh Burl, you cad!

Oh Burl, you cad!

The park is mine!

The park is mine!

The fact that you call it that tells me you're not ready.

The fact that you call it that tells me you're not ready.

You read my mind, @avclub-f121d09285898f1c66d66f1e6f0455a6:disqus .