It's a foolish waste of life in my opinion but hardly the only case. Race car drivers die all the time too and very few people have a problem with it. Personally I find watching cars going around an oval to be about as exciting as watching my toenails grow.
How narcissistic do you have to be to make climbing a mountain a life goal ? How meaningless is that ? Every other life form on the planet knows not to go up there, but human beings do it on purpose, and cause traffic jams to boot. Why ? Human stupidity and self-absorption apparently know no bounds. Are there traffic jams of people trying to help the poor, or the sick, or the aged ? No, programs are being cut right and left because people are so selfish they won't vote for taxes to keep their fellow man alive. Humans are supposed to be the most intelligent life form, but that simply cannot be true, these deaths on the mountain are testament to that.
Hillary and Norgay are the first recognized climbers of Mt. Everest, this was in 1953. I fail to understand the allure of trying to duplicate what's already been accomplished, especially if it might cost me my life....but then again, I'm not a mountain-climber.
I fail to understand why a handfull of individuals and government officials must dictate the activities of individuals who pose no harm or threat to the rest of society. As a member of the human race, I aspire to attain higher goals. If people seek a euphoric "high" without harming others or trespassing on anothers' rights, then who should have the authority to intervene.
It is regretful these pilgrims died. They are amoung a small handfull who have been to the "top" of the world.
While your altruistic views are noted. The issue isn't the taking away freedoms or rights of climbers, it is the simple fact that to many people in one spot causes "traffic jams", leading to people getting placed in dangerous situations. There are too many people heading to the top of the world. If you can't see that, then I don't know what to tell you. An annual limit would be prudent and people would be placed on a waiting list.
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It is regretful these pilgrims died. They are amoung a small handfull who have been to the "top" of the world.
The article also states some OPINIONS that groups should be scheduled, to protect the safety of ALL Everest climbers.
This isn't ABOUT "the rest of society"; it's about the "society" of Everest climbers.