"Because it's there."

The earth is not spherical but an oblate spheroid ie flattened at the poles.

Therefore, if two mountains exist of similar size, one at or near a pole and one at or on the equator, is the atmosphere thinner for the mountaineer at the top of the equator mountain because it is further from the centre of the earth?

Great minds need to know.
 


Disaster befalls the season's preparations.






KATMANDU, Nepal (AP) — An avalanche swept down a climbing route on Mount Everest early Friday, killing at least 12 Nepalese guides and leaving three missing in the deadliest disaster on the world's highest peak.

The Sherpa guides had gone early in the morning to fix ropes for other climbers when the avalanche hit just them below Camp 2 at about 6:30 a.m., Nepal Tourism Ministry official Krishna Lamsal said from the base camp where he is monitoring rescue efforts.

Rescue workers pulled out 12 bodies from under mounds of snow and ice and were searching for the three missing guides, Lamsal said.

Two Sherpas who were injured were taken by helicopter to hospitals in Nepal's capital, Katmandu.

Hundreds of climbers, their guides and support crews have gathered at the base camp to prepare for attempts to scale the 8,850-meter (29,035-foot) mountain early next month when weather conditions become favorable. They have been setting up camps at higher altitudes and guides have been fixing routes and ropes on the slopes above.

As soon as the avalanche hit, rescuers and fellow climbers rushed to help.

Ang Tshering of the Nepal Mountaineering Association said the area where the avalanche hit is nicknamed the "popcorn field" and is just below Camp 2 at 6,400 meters (21,000 feet).

Earlier this year, Nepal announced several steps to better manage the heavy flow of climbers and speed up rescue operations. The steps included the dispatch of officials and security personnel to the base camp at 5,300 meters (17,380 feet), where they will stay throughout the spring climbing season that ends in May.

More than 4,000 climbers have scaled the summit since 1953, when it was first conquered by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay. Hundreds have died attempting to reach the peak.

The worst recorded disaster on Everest had been a snowstorm on May 11, 1996, that caused the deaths of eight climbers. Six Nepalese guides were killed in an avalanche in 1970.


 


Disaster befalls the season's preparations.






KATMANDU, Nepal (AP) — An avalanche swept down a climbing route on Mount Everest early Friday, killing at least 12 Nepalese guides and leaving three missing in the deadliest disaster on the world's highest peak.


Only 12 to 15? With the number of people on that hill, it's surprising the numbers were so low. (not meaning to be heartless, just real.)
 
The first of the season was reported today. Let's hope it's the last of the season.
 
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/sites/default/files/styles/full_width_620/public/images/topic/features/0209-disappearedsnow.jpg

Neverending stories: Wilderness death in the Internet Age

From Medred's story: "Somewhere out there, grieving German mountaineer Mike Fuchs is struggling with what to post next to his Facebook page: Fox-Challenge.de"

Recent FB post by Fuchs:

Just only some days before our finishline of our project to traverse Denali/Mt McKinley, my climbing partner Sylvia fall at an altitude of more than 18.000 feet and lost her life.
I am very sad and often think back to our uncountable wonderful moments to climbed this huge mountain.
Thanks to all believed in this special project and supported us with so much heart’s blood, material and also mental.
My thoughts are with Sylvias family and her friends.
Mike




http://foxchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/foto.jpg?w=960
 
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=324469005




Body Found On Mt. Rainier; Hunt For Writer Halted
by The Associated Press
June 22, 2014


MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK, Wash. (AP) — The Mount Rainier search for missing outdoors writer Karen Sykes has been suspended with the recovery of the body of a "deceased female" in the area where teams have been focusing their efforts.

The body, recovered about 3 p.m. Saturday, wasn't immediately identified.

Mount Rainier National Park spokeswoman Patti Wold said that the remains were found off the trail near Boundary Creek in rough, steep terrain — an area difficult to access and not commonly traveled.





more...
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=324469005
 
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28771530



13 August 2014
08:47 ET

Mont Blanc climbers found dead after France search


(BBC) The bodies of five French climbers have been found on Mont Blanc in eastern France.

The five climbers and their guide had been reported missing in bad weather late on Tuesday.

The bodies were reportedly found after a rescue team was sent to Aiguille d'Argentiere, a 3,900m (12,800ft) peak in the Mont Blanc range.

The search for the guide is still going on. No information has been released about their age or identities.

Rescuers spotted the five bodies at around 09:00 (07:00GMT) on Wednesday, France Info radio reported.

The climb was part of an organised group and the guide was experienced, French media said.

Rising death toll

The BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Geneva says the latest incident has brought the death toll to 13 since July, prompting some local authorities to call for more regulation on the mountain range and for permits and even proof of climbing experience for those who want to attempt the summit.

Although August is usually one of the better months for climbing but the weather has been unseasonably bad.

Several climbers have died in recent weeks on Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe, close to the French border with Switzerland.

Since mid-July, two Belgians, two Finns and two Irish have been killed, as well as climbers from Germany and France, Agence France-Presse news agency reports.



http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28771530
 
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