3 ms·

A "regular human" would die just sleeping at 20,000 feet like these people did. You're really underestimating the amount of preparation and skill that goes into

A "regular human" would die just sleeping at 20,000 feet like these people did. You're really underestimating the amount of preparation and skill that goes into a feat like this. Likewise for this part: "The first two days involved about 6,000 vertical feet of climbing, 60 meters of rope at a time." No "regular human" is even making it 50 feet free climbing up a vertical wall, let alone the technical skill required to clip the rope, place protection, and manage equipment while climbing and working with your partner. It's really easy to underestimate this stuff, especially if you've never actually tried rock climbing or done high altitude stuff before. It may look easy, but at around 15,000 feet it gets to the point where even the most physically in-shape person cannot walk more than a few steps without having to stop and take a breath, let alone climb a vertical wall. Likewise, rock climbing might look easy, but go to a local climbing gym and pick a 5.9 or 5.10 (which are about medium difficulty) and unless you have past experience climbing, I guarantee you won't even make it halfway up. And that's at a gym, where everything is easier, and you don't need to worry about placing your own protection or carrying ropes.

lambdaone 3y ago
Indeed. People who don't do these kinds of activity wildly overestimate their physical capabilities. Part of the reason for this, I think, is that Hollywood and TV depicts ludicrous levels of acrobatic and athletic capability as the norm; apparently normal people in movies are depicted catching falling people one-handed, outrunning explosions, and so on. Climbing, even at an enthusiastic amateur level, is much harder than non-climbers believe, and I think your suggestion that readers try top-roping a 5.9/5.10 to get some idea of even beginning climbing difficulty is an excellent idea. I cannot even imagine the level of dedication and expertise it takes to do this sort of feat.

lambdaone 3y ago

Indeed. People who don't do these kinds of activity wildly overestimate their physical capabilities. Part of the reason for this, I think, is that Hollywood and TV depicts ludicrous levels of acrobatic and athletic capability as the norm; apparently normal people in movies are depicted catching falling people one-handed, outrunning explosions, and so on. Climbing, even at an enthusiastic amateur level, is much harder than non-climbers believe, and I think your suggestion that readers try top-roping a 5.9/5.10 to get some idea of even beginning climbing difficulty is an excellent idea. I cannot even imagine the level of dedication and expertise it takes to do this sort of feat.