The effects of high altitude

Some colleagues told me about a great program on PBS Frontline, called Storm Over Everest.  You can watch the full program in episodes on the internet here ….  It’s a great show that goes into the famous, disastrous 1996 expedition to Everest where a number of people died and was documented in the Jon Krakauer gook, “Into Thin Air”.

The backstory is that this book is how I got into climbing anyway.  Nearing the completion the seven continents marathons (just had Africa left to do in summer 2006), a colleague (Karen) gave me the book as a christmas present.  Reading it (well, digesting it) over the holiday period, I came to the idea that being one of the only people to do seven continents and seven summits.  However, when one reads the book, there is nothing in there that makes climbing seem fun in any way sense or form.  Everything from burning yak dung, to the dangers and amputations and death should deter a sane person away from this so-called sport.

Coincidentally, one of the heroes of the trip, Todd Burleson, who owns Alpine Ascents, was my guide on the first big mountain, Kilimanjaro and I’ve used AAI for every expedition except for the coming one in Denali (since they were booked up already).  Todd is a genuine guy, humble and full of stories.  I think he has a great book in him also and tried to let him have me ghost-write for him, but he said he’s not ready yet.

On the PBS site, back to that, they have a great animation link showing the effects of high-altitude (all bad!).