Everest Or For Ever Rest

Never thought I’d see the day where headlines announce overcrowding of the slopes on Mount Everest.  Not in droves, but recent news reports have highlighted an increase in the number of mountain climbers who have undertaken the task to complete the arduous climb.  Some do it or forever rest where they have fallen.  Sherpas who are professional guides help to carry equipment to the top.  They lead climbers, hikers, celebrities and groups up the dangerous mountain terrain to an altitude where only planes fly, and at the peril of their own lives.

I take my hat off to all those who have reached Everest’s zenith or are in the throes of planning the hike up some other treacherous mountain.  Truly, it is not for the faint of heart.  Everest is the tallest mountain on earth, the peak scaling 29,029 feet.  Before even reaching the summit, the climb up causes the body to gasp for air.  Oxygen is thinner at the 26,000 feet elevation and beyond, otherwise called the “death zone.”  Some effects the climber may experience there include exhaustion, delirium, incoherence, and moments of insanity, all due to the inability to breathe in enough oxygen.

Mount Everest has proven to be a perilous nature challenge, but lately, more and more people are taking up the dare.  Optimum fitness levels and pertinent climbing skills help to achieve the goal of reaching the pinnacle.  However, some persons have not been so fortunate.  According to an article in Business Insider, 11 people have died just this spring alone from trying to reach the crest.  Overall, it is recorded that the steep mountain has claimed the lives of 306 people to date.  As if the tough climb was not enough to drain the experienced climber, they bypass frozen dead bodies, now a part of the landscape, which must present a mental conflict as they trudge slowly upward.  Besides the real dangers the assent poses, hikers say the 20 minute limit spent on the peak is worth every bit of trouble before descending to base camp.

What is causing this sudden surge in interest with respects to Everest?  Have the situation become easier or more navigable than in prior years?  I don’t think so.  The dangers certainly are the same.  Plus, thin air, avalanches pose the most serious threat to climbers.  In 2018, an avalanche took the lives of 16 Sherpas.    So, what pushes the hiker to go all the way to the apex?  Could it be to enjoy the view (which I am told is out of this world), to claim bragging rights, to take photos, to be a part of an elite group of mountaineers?  Whatever the reason, losing life or limb is a hard price to pay for 20 minutes of goal satisfaction.

Everest may be the only place on earth that my itinerary plans would recommend, turning back, until better circumstances, better fitness, and better overall conditions could be met.  I believe in accepting limits and preserving life in order to try again another day.  The thought of forging ahead at the risk of your own life, just because you may have considerable expedition expense loss, wasted time and talent, or because you say to yourself, “I’ve come too far to turn back” may not be prudent thinking.  Another day, another attempt, another opportunity may present itself if you are determined to one day achieve the goal.

The closest I will ever come to Everest is when I visit Nepal, which I hope to do some day.  It would be amazing to rise to the heights, but I can still remember my experience when I climbed Table Mountain in South Africa.  That mountain would be considered a hill to the likes of the mighty Everest.  Even though, it does not hold many of the risks found on Everest, it proved to be a strain to me physically and mentally.  The venture took me twice the time to complete.  My legs felt like stumps, at times my heart felt like it would burst inside my chest, and the residue of salt squeezed out through my pores from sweat were caked on my face by the time I reached the top.  I looked a frightful sight but the view at the crown was fantastic and worth the effort.

Although climbing the South African peak did not pose a danger or threat to my life, they were many times on the trail I felt like giving up.  The battle to continue was as much a mental one as it was physical.  I achieved the personal goal, gained bragging rights, took awesome photos and relaxed before descending via the cable car.  My experience on Table Mountain pales in comparison to what the Sherpas and professional climbers do on Everest.  Yet, my attitude to such an undertaking is if at first you don’t succeed, try again.  Do not risk your life unnecessarily.  Live to try again.

Community Peeps, mountain climbers and hiking enthusiasts, what has been your experience on climbs?  What challenge or difficulties did you face?  Please share your experience in the comment box below.

Readers, as usual, I invite you to click follow to receive timely updates, select like to show your love and support.  Share this post on your social media site.  Write your comments in the box below.  Your interest, time and attention are always appreciated.  Thank you for reading.

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The Weather Variable

Summer is swiftly approaching and lots of people will take the opportunity to catch the sun’s rays on a destination trip they have been planning for months.  Beginning this Memorial Day weekend and continuing through to the Labor Day weekend, we will see travelers from the four corners of the USA using every means of transport to reach their vacation spot, nationally and internationally.  Whether making a solo or family and friends’ trip, there are some things one should consider before departure.  One such consideration should be the weather variable.  When making plans, a knowledgeable understanding of the destination’s precipitous weather conditions should be studied to guaranty successful itinerary activities and expectations.

At the height of summer, a few damaging, even deadly weather conditions may take place.  In the Caribbean and Americas there may be hurricanes; in Asia and Africa they are called monsoons.  In the USA, specifically the south and mid-west another natural affliction is tornadoes.  Heat waves and torrential rains also weigh into the injurious mix.  A knowledge of the day’s forecast before take-off to start your holiday is advisable.  Check the weather forecast and advisories daily, and a weekly review leading up to your departure date.

Off peak seasons are the cheapest travel times and they usually happen to be when the weather is not considered to be the very best.  In some of my adventures, I chose to travel during the rainy season.  Of course, I watched and noted the forecast and planned my daily activities to suit.  It has been my experience in places like: Costa Rica, Kuala Lumpur, Paraguay and Panama, I have witnessed torrential rains pour down from the sky like clockwork.  Obviously, residents who are familiar with the season, are always prepared when they leave home by carrying an umbrella, raincoat and boots, if needed.   In one of the aforementioned places, I have had my encounter with changing weather patterns too.  I remember traveling with a friend and it was our first day in Paraguay.  We decided (actually, it was my idea since I wanted to see the landscape), to travel to Asuncion by local bus from the airport.  Clearly, this meant a longer time driving to the city since the bus would pick up and drop off passengers along the way.  By the time we arrived in Asuncion, heavy dark clouds had gathered, and it started to rain.  We were riding in the bus, higher off the ground than most sedans.  I could see motor vehicles trying to maneuver away from the pooling water on the roads but thought nothing of it until it became evident, we were experiencing a flash flood.  The rising water started to lap at and climb the bus steps as we drove along.  Some passengers including myself became alarmed and began to scream about the invading water level.  The bus driver then began to look for steeper roads to pull away from the flooding areas.  The rains soon stopped but not before some cars were left stalled in the murky waters.  That flooding experience can be blamed on poor drainage, inadequate infrastructure, or maybe even global warming, but whatever the cause, it was a close call, one that I do not ever want to repeat.

Community Peeps, vacations are relaxing, fun getaways.  However, we must still consider and respect weather conditions wherever we go.  Be prepared by knowing what the day’s forecast is before setting foot outside your door.  Have you ever been caught in bad weather and felt unprepared?  What did you do?  Please share your experience in the comment box below.

Readers, as usual, I invite you to click follow to receive timely updates, select like to show your love and support.  Share this post on your social media site.  Write your comments in the box below.  Your interest, time and attention are always appreciated.  Thank you for reading.

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Earth Month is Everyday

“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” – Psalms 24:1

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No one can claim to have been present when the earth was created.  However, the Genesis account in the Bible tells us everything was made perfect.  The Good Book also tells us that man was made a steward of it.  Over the centuries, we have not always been kind to the earth, environment and its resources.  However, in this 21st century, talks of the environment and global warming has taken center stage.  An acute awareness of the kinds of impact our daily choices make on the environment are now hot topics on every country’s political agenda.  Much ado about nothing?  I doubt it.  While the debate rages on, and new environmental policies and practices adopted to stem further deterioration, individuals can no longer turn a blind eye.  We must take responsible action to arrest the wear and tear on the enviroment from further decline wherever and however much we can everyday.

Considering the recently celebrated ‘Earth Day’ and since this month is Earth month, I would be remiss if I didn’t give a few environmental tips one could practice or even adopt while on vacation.  It may be easy to practice save-the-planet actions at home, but when you travel you may be hard pressed to follow-through, so I asked family and friends for recommendations of how they would help to reduce, recycle or eliminate their carbon footprint when they travel.  This is what they had to say:

1. “Rent an electric car to go on road trips.  They are battery operated and does not emit fumes into the atmosphere.” – Cyrilene
2. “Eat only locally grown foods.” – Marcia
3. “Reserve accommodation that is environmentally green and uses products to support the environment.” – Gail
4. “Rent a Segways or ride a bike versus driving gasoline/diesel  powered vehicles.” – Shurland
5. “Volunteer at local organic farm or wildlife sanctuary.” – Suzanne
6. “Clean-up a beach area of non-biodegradable refuse that washed-ashore.” – Antoine
7. “Use all-natural products for daily hygiene, for example: lemon as underarm deodorant, aloe-vera as shampoo for body and hair, a bamboo toothbrush and bicarbonate of soda to brush teeth.” – Wayne
8. “Conserve water at shower times.” – Laudz
9. “Bring my own shopping bag with me to the grocer.” – Desmond
10. “When dining out, avoid using styrofoam and plastic utensils.” – Dalton

Community peeps, these simple tips if practiced can help to give us a more wholesome environment to live in for Earth month begins every day.   If you have other practices not mentioned here, please share your environment-friendly tips in the comment box below.  Remember, click follow to receive timely postings and like to show your love.  Thanks for reading.

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