Ueli Steck- Alpine Climber Dead

[asagaai]

Not sure if there are other climbers here- but the world just lost one of the BEST modern alpine climbers- Ueli Steck a Swiss climber.

He was in the Himalayas and was attempting a rare route up Mount Everest (only been done once before), then he was going to traverse straight over and climb Lhotse (another 8,000 metre peak) and bivy 1 night in the death zone, before attempting adescent, all without oxygen. This has never been done before- two 8,000 metre peaks in 1 push, and he did not know if it was humanely possible but he was going for it.

Unfortunately, he fell over 1,000 metres when climbing alone training in the early hours one morning around camp 2 of Everest acclimatising, and fellow climbers had to pick up his body parts scattered on the lower slopes.

He was an inspirational guy, climbed a new route solo with no oxygen up Annapurna (probably the most dangerous and difficult 8,000 metre mountain in the Himalayas), and did the North Face of the Eiger solo in about 2.5 hours ( takes normal climbers days and killed lots of people climbing it.)

Just goes to show even a superhuman like Ueli is mortal- and makes you realize- live for the moment and experience all you can of life like a sponge.

He was a one in a generation style climber, and brought Olympic games style physical training to mountaineering. Shame he died on a solo training peak- as it would have been interesting to see if a human could ascend two 8,000 metre peaks and then descend and live. Will now have to wait for someone else to find out.....

[Pedro]

It's unfortunate that he died. I've never understood what makes people want to climb mountains.

[asagaai]

Originally Posted by Pedro

It's unfortunate that he died. I've never understood what makes people want to climb mountains.

One of the most famous quotes is "because it is there." But that really provides no explanation.

For me, when I see a rock face that is aesthetic and pleasing, it is a form that is exquisite and scary looking, I am drawn to it like a moth to a light, attracted and horrified, knowing I am in for an adventure of discovery of the rock, the environment, and discovery of my own abilities physical and mental, and know I will experience fear, exhilaration and a natural clean high through endorphins and adrenalin.

Mountaineering again pulls a climber, the beauty of the peak, the challenge of unknown, and that sensation of clear still weather and crisp powdered snow, and digging footholds in a slope on your own- clean air, your brain clean - you feel like you are flying in heaven. And then- when it goes wrong, well- that is when you truly find out who you are.

Lets put it in these terms:

You love high powered beautiful cars, cars that have an aggressive kick that can kill you, you see one on a track and the owner hands you the keys and says go for it. You have never driven such a powerful car with such set up but a sketchy nervy handling that kicks, and you do not know if you are up to it or what it will really really feel like to drive- what do you do- will you be drawn to it like a moth to a light- part excitement and part fear...and despite the risk you cannot not go for it.

You love surfing, you go to a point with a mate, and there are perfect 10 foot barrels clean and smooth pealing off a reef bottom. You have never surfed it, and no one else is surfing it and you do not know if it is possible, but it pulls you into it's soul- you cannot resist paddling out and sticking your whole into its jaws.

Same as a climber looking at a perfect exquisite peak....

[whitelion65]

Originally Posted by Pedro

It's unfortunate that he died. I've never understood what makes people want to climb mountains.

I started because I had a fear of heights!!

[Mercury Bullet]

Originally Posted by asagaai

One of the most famous quotes is "because it is there." But that really provides no explanation.

For me, when I see a rock face that is aesthetic and pleasing, it is a form that is exquisite and scary looking, I am drawn to it like a moth to a light, attracted and horrified, knowing I am in for an adventure of discovery of the rock, the environment, and discovery of my own abilities physical and mental, and know I will experience fear, exhilaration and a natural clean high through endorphins and adrenalin.

Mountaineering again pulls a climber, the beauty of the peak, the challenge of unknown, and that sensation of clear still weather and crisp powdered snow, and digging footholds in a slope on your own- clean air, your brain clean - you feel like you are flying in heaven. And then- when it goes wrong, well- that is when you truly find out who you are.

Lets put it in these terms:

You love high powered beautiful cars, cars that have an aggressive kick that can kill you, you see one on a track and the owner hands you the keys and says go for it. You have never driven such a powerful car with such set up but a sketchy nervy handling that kicks, and you do not know if you are up to it or what it will really really feel like to drive- what do you do- will you be drawn to it like a moth to a light- part excitement and part fear...and despite the risk you cannot not go for it.

You love surfing, you go to a point with a mate, and there are perfect 10 foot barrels clean and smooth pealing off a reef bottom. You have never surfed it, and no one else is surfing it and you do not know if it is possible, but it pulls you into it's soul- you cannot resist paddling out and sticking your whole into its jaws.

Same as a climber looking at a perfect exquisite peak....

Ok, now I get it.
Good explanation.

Sometimes after our runs I get an adrenaline shake. Often hours afterwards.