A Deadly Ascent: life and death on Mount Everest
“My father would be very disappointed the way mountaineering has turned out today.”
– Jamling Norgay, mountaineer
In 1953 the world stood in awe when Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay conquered Mount Everest. Their feat inspired generations of climbers to tackle the mountain. But in 2019, when pictures emerged on social media showing climbers jammed together queuing to reach the summit, there was an outcry.
“When I first saw that picture, I believe it was on Instagram, it was like a kick in the gut to me…this is not what mountaineering is all about.”
– Climbing coach
Mount Everest has become big business with multiple companies selling the promise of an adventure of a lifetime.
“Everest has become a product…people think it’s basically walking up the stairs for a hike….’Oh Sherpa will do the work. I just have to pay money.’ I call them overnight climbers.”
– Jamling Norgay, mountaineer
Surging numbers of inexperienced climbers have been swarming the mountain, with deadly consequences.
“That we have this many people…the number of inexperienced climbers with unqualified guides – This was the perfect storm.”
– Climbing coach
The climbing season in 2019 was one of the deadliest ever, with eleven climbers losing their lives on Everest. In this gripping program, those on the mountain recount the dramatic events that unfolded on the world’s highest peak.
“The summit is right there in front of my eyes, I am going to go and climb it. And I still remember the Sherpa saying to me, ‘Come on, make a decision. You can’t go up. You will kill yourself.’ My Sherpa literally dragged me away.”
– Climber
The crush of queuing climbers created a deadly traffic jam that haunts those who survived.
“My Sherpa told me that her oxygen had finished and she could not move. She kept on calling me…Everyone had to save their own lives and nobody was able to do anything.”
– Climber
Now the elder statesmen of the climbing community warn that change is needed to protect both Everest and those who climb it.
“Many people consider it a badge of honour that they climbed the highest mountain in the world. They do it for their pure ego. Doing it for the wrong reason is inviting the wrong consequence.”
– Climbing coach
“I don’t want to risk my life for the person who should not be there on the mountain in the first place.”
– Jamling Norgay, mountaineer
It is replayed on Tuesday 20th at 1.00pm and Wednesday 21st at 11.20pm. It can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10pm AEST, ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners.
