A good friend of mine has recently become very interested with all things Everest. Several nights after having a couple of beers, he has asked our group of friends if they think it was possible for someone to have summited Everest before Sir Edmond Hillary, or attempted to summit before George Mallory. One half of the group is adamant that such a feat was impossible before 1921 due to a lack of proper equipment and a cultural reverence for the mountain. The other half believe that it was certainly possible because of the length of human occupation in the region, the adaptation of the Tibetan people to higher altitudes, and the innate ambition of man. Does anyone have scientific evidence for either side of the debate or an educated opinion?
posted by thisiswater
on Apr 23, 2012 -
6 answers
I love to climb. What other activities might I like? (Caveat: that are doable within NYC).
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posted by prunes
on Feb 19, 2012 -
10 answers
I'd like to dirtbag (AKA, camping in an area for extended periods of time) somewhere this summer, preferably somewhere with nearby access to rock climbing. Where do I go, and how do I do it?
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posted by pyrom
on Jan 17, 2012 -
12 answers
I've been rock climbing for about a year, so I feel this should be obvious by now...but it's not: How do I build calluses/decrease skin sensitivity on the segments of my fingers
other than the tips?
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posted by psoas
on Oct 27, 2011 -
13 answers
Regular gym users: What's your routine? When do you go, what do you do, when do you eat, what should I eat before/after, how much more water do I need to drink? More specific questions inside...
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posted by two lights above the sea
on Sep 30, 2011 -
27 answers
I am relatively new to climbing. Help me increase the endurance of my forearms.
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posted by prunes
on Sep 11, 2011 -
29 answers
Are there stair climbing marathons and how do I learn about signing up for them?
posted by parmanparman
on Jul 14, 2011 -
13 answers
ShoeFilter: Climbing shoe suggestions for a guy with Morton's Toe. Any thing beyond the Evolv Demorto?
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posted by epiphinite
on Jun 11, 2011 -
10 answers
Herniated disc, doctor says it's ok to climb (can't make it worse). First week back, electric shock pain. Can I safely ignore this?
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posted by defben
on May 12, 2011 -
8 answers
Movies, documentaries, and TV shows about high-altitude mountain climbing (such as Everest)?
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posted by pyrom
on Apr 12, 2011 -
17 answers
A friend and I want to climb a mountain, ideally inside Europe. Only question, which one? Advice for beginners much appreciated!
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posted by dragontail
on Dec 5, 2010 -
5 answers
Additions, suggestions, and general information for my Cross Country (USA) Trip. Help me make it awesome please!
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posted by zephyr_words
on May 26, 2010 -
6 answers
Where is the best climbing tree in San Diego county?
posted by booknerd
on May 26, 2010 -
2 answers
I planted some dry beans I bought in grocery store. They all sprouted. There were 5-6 varieties, big white ones, black ones, yellow etc. Is there any way for me to know are these going to be bush beans or pole beans? I would like to grow them on my balcony (to cover my wall) and I don't have much space. I would prefer pole or climbing beans, I don't have space for bush varieties. Would I be able to tell the difference when they grow into seedlings?
posted by leigh1
on May 20, 2010 -
5 answers
I'm in the second week of recovery from SLAP/Bankart surgery on my shoulder and might be fretting too much about it, but I'm a surgery n00b and have no idea what recovery is supposed to be like. Then, too, I decided surgery is not much fun and would like to figure out how to avoid having any more of it. I would like advice on both.
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posted by jet_silver
on Oct 16, 2009 -
3 answers
We want to 1) climb Kilimanjaro (Western Breach route) and 2) go on a safari afterwards. Looking for advice, personal stories, and information about planning for the trip and training for a high altitude hike.
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posted by kitkatcathy
on Jun 16, 2009 -
15 answers
I need treatment advice or doctor advice for my ingrown toenail. Difficulty: desperate rock climber.
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posted by mindsound
on Jun 4, 2008 -
11 answers
Did Dave Eggers write a [fabricated] feature story on extreme mountain climbing under a pseudonym for Details magazine 7-8 years ago?
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posted by junkbox
on Oct 23, 2006 -
6 answers
Basic physics. Sitting on a 2,5m (8.2ft) high boulder without shock-absorbing footwear, should I prefer jumping down 2m (6.6ft) onto a flat rock or the full 2,5m onto a softer forest surface?
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posted by Akeem
on Mar 29, 2005 -
14 answers
