[marincounty]

Every multi-millionaire who used the indigenous people of that country in order climb the highest mountain(and all the other peaks), in order to check off another accomplishment should be on a private jet(if possible)--filled with doctors, medicine, water, food, and wads of cash.

Give money and support to every needy person. You might get a better "rush" out of the experience of really helping the needy; Rather than the narcisstic act of climbing mountians with help of poor people? (I don't know the state of Nepal's Red Cross? It might be a very efficient chapter? I don't trust money sent to government officials will reach the needy, but I might be way off?)

[ptaipale]

I disagree with most of this. Giving cash is probably good, but do it via established, organized structures like the Red Cross.

Well-meaning individuals in private jets bringing stuff is probably something that is going to make rescue work harder, not helping. To start with the logistics, any private jets would just overburden the local flight control system that will now be under stress, and there are not going to be much free parking places for jets in Kathmandu airport. And remember, it's not a big airport to begin with.

People may be frustrated by authorities in third-world countries who may be somewhat inept, but still, uncoordinated attempts to help are probably counter-productive.

And grudging about multi-millionaires who used the indigenous people of that country in order climb the highest mountain is also not useful. They were probably helping the country in the best way anyone can, even if they were seeking personal thrills: servicing climber tourists is one of the main export industries of countries like Nepal. The customers are mostly decent people even if they are rich, and they are (mostly) not doing anything bad, they are employing people and giving them a contact to the rest of the world.

(Not any personal expert on Nepal, but have a couple of friends who have stayed in the country in various development aid roles for a year or two.)

[hluska]

Are you talking about Sherpas?? If so, I have two facts to interject:

- Their capital (Namche Bazaar) is the most prosperous part of Nepal.

- Of the estimated £7m left in Nepal during a climbing season, about £2.4m goes to the government. During their strike in 2014, a prevailing feeling amongst the Sherpa was that the government takes but does not give. Their offer of an ~£200 settlement per dead Sherpa was seen as especially insulting.

[briandear]

Have you ever been to the Khumbu? Or even Nepal? Reading a Krakauer book or some clickbait Outside article doesn't make you any expert or give you any sort of authority on the subject.

First of all, the class envy nonsense is childish. What right do you have to begrudge others' success? Are you jealous? Do you give away all of your money? Based on your screen name it would seem that you have some connection to Marin County; one of the richest counties in the country. Unless you're living under a bridge, that would imply that you have some money. How much did you send to Nepal today? How much did you send to Bay Area homeless shelters? How many hours have you volunteered? I'm willing to bet almost zero -- because you'd prefer to spend and criticize other people's money. You're the kind of person that would call for tax increases "on the rich," while you yourself give not a single cent of your own money to charity. I don't know a thing about you, nor would I want to, but based on your insensitive and ignorant comment, I think we can draw some fairly accurate conclusions.

Secondly, Everest and the Himalaya is not the domain of millionaires. There are some millionaires that go there, for sure, but most Everest expedition members are middle class people who have saved for years and years as well as trained for years and years for a shot at Everest. People like you would love to spend $80+K on a Tesla or spend $500K on a closet-sized Bay Area condo. These people choose to spend $45K on a potentially once in a lifetime climb.

Do you know a single person who has climbed or attempted Everest? Nearly certainly not. There are some fools and bad apples for sure -- but you find fools and bad apples at Whole Foods or the local Fair Trade Shade Grown Coffee Establishment, Inc. as well. Perhaps you ought to get out of your shell of bitterness and head to the Himalaya yourself. Perhaps you'd find the same joy that others seek, perhaps you'd understand that climbing a mountain isn't any more narcissistic than creating a startup or even working at one.

Perhaps you might even find some spiritual comfort. Himalayan climbing, for many people, is probably the closest one can get to God (or the gods, etc.) while still being upon the Earth; to minimize or insult the climbers who seek that for themselves could be compared to criticizing Muslims over the Hadj. Every climber on Everest participates in a Puja before setting foot on the mountain, showing respect to the mountain. When was the last time you showed respect for anything? Who are you to minimize the goals and dreams of people just because you don't like what you assume to be their motivation?

Now, let's address the "millionaires ought to send cash" malarky. Have you ever heard of the Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation? Have you visited any of the dozens of schools, hospitals or community centers in the Khumbu region paid for by those millionaires you despise? How about the Himalayan Trust? The Alex Lowe Charitable Foundation? The Juniper Fund? The Sherpa Support Fund? The International Avalanche Nest Egg Fund? ..and countless others.

As far as those "poor" people that those evil millionaires exploit to climb the Himalaya. Do you know how much they're paid? Do you know that many climbing Sherpas have made enough money to even start their own companies, open hotels and send their kids to good universities? Sherpa aren't considered "highly paid" by western standards, but they are extremely high paid by Nepali standards.

Perhaps spend a few minutes researching and reading something other than Outside magazine or the other sensationalist nonsense about Everest, perhaps you'd gain a deeper understanding of what actually happens over there. Better yet, buy a ticket and go see (and volunteer) for yourself. Maybe go read Alan Arnette's blog and get educated about Everest from a source other than ones that are trying to sell clicks or copies.

[dang]

> Perhaps spend a few minutes researching and reading something other than Outside magazine or the other sensationalist nonsense

Please stop treating other commenters like this on HN. It breaks the rules and mars your otherwise substantive comments, no matter how wrong the other person is.