Comments for Words from Wik

Comment on Summit Pictures and Thoughts by Wiktor

Wiktor — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:37:41 +0000

You are right, I haven’t followed up on those. Maybe I will one of these days, but I’m not sure a blog entry can explain it enough. I’d need to tell the whole story to give context, which might be a little long for a blog post.

Comment on Summit Pictures and Thoughts by Greg S

Greg S — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 03:11:11 +0000

Congratulations on your success! I have read all your posts, but I haven’t found one where you do follow up on: 1) why you weren’t so happy to be at the summit and 2) why your sherpa left you on the descent (were you displeased about that)?

Comment on How to Train for Mount Everest by Bob

Bob — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:12:53 +0000

Haaay nice job

Comment on How to Train for Mount Everest by Alicia

Alicia — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 17:22:26 +0000

I absolutely believe you.

Comment on Back on the Blog by Alicia

Alicia — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 16:42:23 +0000

Sweet! I will!! Just to see that you climbed sponsored by World Vision was another clue that I was really going!!! That’s a coincidental story…

Comment on Suffering and Hope by Alicia

Alicia — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 16:35:29 +0000

Everest is life… at least from a readers perspective and a life of extreme challenges to overcome. Congratulations and way to go! You did it, you survived!!! I can only “hope” to get up there myself, yet the vision is clear.

Comment on Khumbu Ice Fall – One Bad Ass MoFo by Alicia

Alicia — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 16:22:44 +0000

Wow, my heart was bursting reading your description! I hope to experience the Khumbu Ice Falls someday soon. I just stumbled upon your blog and I would love to read more!

Comment on Confessions of a Modern Day Everest Climber by Urooj

Urooj — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 19:24:26 +0000

I think the absence of this camaraderie, this “climbers code”, is one of the sadder aspects of Everest’s commercialization. It is a matter of life and death, and too many focus on conquering the mountain, but not themselves. I felt profoundly sad after hearing of Shriya’s death. To be honest, I find it hard to imagine the depravity of the situation near the summit… to pass by so many dead and dying in order to reach a physical point. Many pushing beyond their limits before realizing their bodies often overcome their spirits. To attempt a rescue that high is in itself quite dangerous, but it disturbs me regardless.

Comment on North vs. South by Longfellow Deeds

Longfellow Deeds — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:36:47 +0000

The only thing I see, which is a major factor in decision making for the rich, non-technical climber, is the death toll of these two routes. Research shows that climbers who tackle the North Col are more than twice as likely (statistically) to be killed. Those who go up in unguided tours are 7 times more likely to be killed.

Go the South, even if it costs the extra 10-15 grand.

Comment on Everest 2011: Summits and Deaths by Wiktor

Wiktor — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:52:46 +0000

Thanks for the comment Seth, glad you got something out of my writing. And congrats on your success! The whole commercialism of the mountain is definitely an interesting topic. I am now not a fan of it after using it to my advantage to climb it. That makes me a bit of a hypocrite I’m sure. As for companies that don’t report anything but good news, that is quite deceiving, a I’ll admit I wouldn’t expect it from any of the big companies.