| Getting to the summit is optional, getting down is | | | | high altitudes and this increases as the temperature |
| mandatory. - David Breashears- | | | | does. |
| Extreme Skier Maegan Carney | | | | Do the climb at a slow pace and you'll enjoy your |
| Extreme skier Maegan Carney had made a bid to be | | | | climb more. |
| the first woman, and second person to ski down the | | | | Stay away from alcohol, tobacco and other vices |
| world's tallest mountain. | | | | that will play havoc with your body and mind at |
| Because of the high winds of Mount Everest at that | | | | these high altitudes. |
| time, Maegan Carney abandoned her first summit | | | | A high-carbohydrate diet will really benefit you here. |
| attempt. | | | | In the USA there are many resorts above the 3,000 |
| To find more information about Maegan's quest, go | | | | metre level, meaning you will need to keep a watch |
| to the website. | | | | out for mountain sickness. |
| Preparation Is The Secret: | | | | Some Mount Everest Facts: |
| Before you climb a mountain, you need some major | | | | Historic Mountain Climbing Deaths: |
| preparations: | | | | George Mallory and Andrew Irvine on June 6 1924, |
| You definitely need to be physically and emotionally | | | | made an attempt on the summit from which they |
| fit. | | | | never returned. |
| You should have people in the group who know first | | | | An eyewitness claimed he saw the group reach the |
| aid and of coarse you have a first aid kit. | | | | summit. |
| Make sure you have a schedule set up, because of | | | | A total of 808 climbers have reached and stood on |
| the dangers involved. | | | | the summit, 764 men and 44 women. There were |
| The mountain you're climbing, how long it should take, | | | | 161 that died, 36 on the descent. |
| how many and who are going, and where will you | | | | More About Mountain Climbing Deaths |
| start your assention. | | | | In 1965, was the best year for climbing, nine climbers |
| Bring a camera for breath taking views and to record | | | | summitted and there were no deaths. |
| your trip. A cell phone for emergencies and to call | | | | In 1996, the worst single year for deaths, 15 climbers |
| someone to share your excitement when you make | | | | died. |
| it to the top. | | | | About Mount Everest Itself |
| If you have the proper climbing gear with you, | | | | The Highest Peak: At 29,035' (8850m), thats about |
| there's no worries about staying the night if you get | | | | five miles up, the highest summit in the world, and is |
| lost. | | | | close to the cruising altitude of a jet, or it is 23 times |
| Also you know you'll get rescued by morning | | | | the height of the Empire State building. |
| because the proper people have been notified. | | | | Above 26,000, the body gets a third of the oxygen |
| Some Guidelines For Climbing | | | | available at sea level. |
| It's not a good idea to be flown or driven to altitudes | | | | Even after getting acclimated, the body starts to |
| higher than 3000 metres. Begin your walk at below | | | | shut down, and if someone stays at that height long |
| that. | | | | enough, they will die. |
| Once over the 3000 metre altitude, travel up in 300 | | | | A lot of the climbers use oxygen here for climbing |
| metre increments each day, thats it, no more than | | | | and sleeping. |
| that. | | | | The weather on Everest allows for climbing only in |
| Climb up high during the day and sleep at lower | | | | May and October between winter snows |
| altitudes at night. | | | | (December-March) and summer monsoons |
| If high altitude symptoms start to affect you, stop | | | | (June-September). |
| climbing higher. If symptoms worsen, go down right | | | | As you can tell, this article is just giving you the |
| away. | | | | basics of what information you'll need to find your |
| You will need to drink plenty of fluids, hiking | | | | way to the top of the world's highest peaks. has a |
| dehydrates your body very fast when climbing at | | | | great source of books on this subject. |