Comment Re:For varying values of "Common" (Score 1) 45
Even Kilimanjaro isn't a big enough peak IMO. I have climbed numerous mountains including successfully climbing Kilimanjaro and I still wouldn't attempt Everest. Most people have no idea what the lack of oxygen does to the body and how it effects decision making. I didn't take any supplements (Diamox) when climbing and when at sea level my resting heart rate (RHR) is 54 bpm. When I was at Barafu camp (4600m) before pushing for the summit my RHR was 86 bpm. So imagine somebody not as physically fit as me, who's RHR is say 75 bpm at sea level, when at 4600m, their RHR would be over 100 bpm. Their body would be pushing itself like it was doing strenuous exercise at sea level while at rest. Now go out there and climb an additional 1000m+ to the summit. Everest would be an additional 3000m on top of that!!
While on the mountain I personally witnessed a few other climbers pass out and be literally dragged down the mountain by their guides. Things get pretty real, pretty fast the higher you go. People who attempt Everest as their first mountain are idiots and frankly I have no sympathy for their negligence. I'm often reminded of Shriya Shah-Klorfine a fellow Canadian, who died on Everest, who was grossly under qualified, yet insisted on making it to the top despite her guides telling her to turn around.