[cmccuist]

Anybody ever been mountain climbing? I've been fascinated with mountain climbing ever since reading about Hillary and Norgay as a kid.

I read every book about the Everest climb that went bad back in 1996. Everyone who survived wrote a book.

What kills me is the best anyone can come up with as to why people climb mountains is "because it is there" - George Mallory 1920 or so.

The more i read, the more i don't want to take up this sport. These people are one bad storm or one slip away from dying. The statistics on mountain climbing are not encouraging. For instance about 1200 people have made it to the top of Everest. about 175 have died.

K2 is even worse. You have about a coin flips chance of dying - number who have reached the top vs. number who have died.

I guess i understand the appeal - it's the ultimate adventure. But there are other sports where the mortality rate is much lower.

Craig