Technology Changing Paradigms on Mt. Everest

The author of Into Thin Air, Jon Krakauer, endured some of the world’s harshest conditions in his 1996 journey to Nepal. He successfully climbed Earth’s tallest peak: Mt. Everest. As impressive as I find that, others were not so impressed because he climbed the summit using supplemental oxygen. Jon Krakauer, himself is not a world class mountaineer but he was still able to climb the world’s tallest peak. This is where critics begin to chirp. These critics argue that using supplemental oxygen is “cheating” because experienced climbers, in the past, have reached the summit of Mt. Everest without this technology. The side in favor of this technology argue that altitude induced fatalities are reduced by using supplemental oxygen.

A new innovation in technology makes the community reevaluate their standards, and not everybody lands on the same conclusion. These two groups are in conflict because technology is bringing a new paradigm into their community.  The purists believe inexperienced climbers do not belong on Mt. Everest. Mt. Everest historically is a place of grave danger only to be entered if the proper experience has been developed. Even after years of high altitude mountaineering members of Krakauer’s expedition died.

Assistive technology brings in climbers that are usually novice-intermediate level climbers, so now an infrastructure of guides has been established. The introduction of newer technology continues to shape the society in the high peaks of the Himalayas. Locals, who are raised in the high altitude are paid to help carry gear and assist with expeditions. This new system of guided expeditions are pushing individually organized expeditions out of vogue.  The experience of climbing Everest will change for each person. With improving technology there are going to be safer ways to ascend the great heights. The older paradigm is from a time where death was more common on the mountain, and the nature of the sport embraced this risk. Climbers can adhere to the spirit of climbing that they love at the expense of their safety, or they can climb with modern accessories. Based off of Krakauer’s book, climbing Everest is still a grueling exercise no matter what.