Anybody on the OT climb Everest?

Yup. Crazy insane. Set out with a party of 10. Only I made it back

Obtuse has.

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But where should men draw the line between life priorities?

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It seems pretty stupid and egotistical to do it from my perspective. I recall there was a doctor from Alabama with a wife and children that decided to give it a go, and of course he died, leaving his family behind. I simply don't understand that, especially when there's nothing to gain for the risk, unless you're just looking for an ego-boost.

I've never climbed one of the 8,000+ meter peaks like Everest, but I have climbed a mountain over 6,200 meters. While Everest is a whole other animal, I think the main draw is that you're accomplishing something challenging that takes a lot of commitment and time to accomplish. Also it sort of taps into that sense of exploration (even though Everest has been climbed thousands of times at this point by numerous different routes.) You're still in a place doing something and seeing a view that only a very small percentage of the population will ever be able to.

Personally, I would like to climb one of the fourteen 8,000+ meter peaks one day. It probably won't be Everest though because the cost is enormous and I feel like it's a little too played out vs some of the other top mountains.

Where are the pictures?!?!?!?!

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What was the overall goal here?

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It is kinda simple at least for me to get to the top. Mountaineering tests a person in ways most people don't get tested primarily how much and how long you are willing to suffer for a ~45 minute stay on the summit.

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How did it feel on the summit?

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There is a level of euphoria but your brain is foggy, kinda like an orgasm when you are drunk. You can't help but wish you could experience it with all your wits about you. After a few minutes, reality kicks in and you realize the most dangerous part is ahead of you. Once you take the first step down all you want to do is be in base camp.

My reasoning was I had been a rock climber since an early age and a mountaineer from the age of 18. Everest is one of those check marks I wanted to have. I consider Annapurna my most challenging mountaineering feat though.

I will say with the number of climbers on the mountain now, especially with so many of them not being very experienced I would not do Everest again at least not via the Southeast ridge route.

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Would love to hear the story.

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The story would take a long time to type but it was a typical climb. I will answer any questions as best I can.

Don’t worry, you don’t really need to pay 500k to feel good about yourself.

Now a Sherpa who hauls the 22ft extension ladders up there as part of his job in order to support a family is another story.

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It's seem pretty stupid and egotistical from my perspective to do it.

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I get this. However, many people have adventures that are dangerous but the dangers don't seem so obvious. Everyone has a different cost/benefit analysis. Unless you are a mountaineer you can't understand the benefits so it appears to be all cost.

There is also a special bond between climbers something I have only found in the military. You constantly put your life in their hands and if you do it often they will be responsible for saving your life.

I was fortunate in that both my wives understood me and neither one attempted to hold me back in fact both of them encouraged me to follow my dreams.

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Watched the movie

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Which movie?