K2: The Savage Mountain 

You're the Best Karl

Skiing down K2 was probably the most nerve wracking thing I’ve ever watched

They have a leg up on the altitude, but the altitude sickness is a tricky bastard. It can hit people at fairly low atltitudes when they have been born and bred att higher altitudes. I had been speniding fairly long times at high altitudes since early childhood, but one hike, I realized I was not doing well and had to slow far down. It was a mild case of altitude sickness, after nearly a lifetime spending long stretches at mostly higher elevations. Now I´m not a Sherpa, but after that I learned that yep, even they and the Andes folks can get caught out.

Sherpa aren't just acclimated to higher altitudes; their blood is different than the rest of us, specifically the red blood cells. This allows them to operate on less oxygen. Acclimated people have an increase in red blood cells, but the cells still function the same.

​@@michaelb1761 Like I said; they're born adapted to it. Just looking at them would tell you that, with the short limbs and solid torso. They work like crazy at sea level, though. Once you teach them some english and figure out when they're all going to take time off.

The Gurkhas arnt Mountain people. There lowlanders more acclimatised to tropical conditions. They absolutely hate the cold. That said there fierce little bast*rds and excellent soldiers.

Yeah, it's not called the Death Zone because you might die. It's called that because your body is literally dying every minute you spend there. (Why do people do this sport, again...?)

These never were his channels. He quit and focused on his own channels. Created some new channels that are his.

@@zaco-km3su Guy is doing a great effort trying to copy his style, but the autocue work needs a bit more time

I took that way out of context, I thought you meant he sucked and needs to improve.

I also took it the wrong way😂😂

@@jeffreystewart6786 what was the right way?

_Git gud._ Show that virus who's boss!

​@RiverNihil He's sick and the original commenter was asking for him to recover and no longer be sick

Sometimes, being bad at something can save lives

I think I will stick with the relative safety of chasing total solar eclipses

You reckon they're living in hope that The Simon returns?

I just got home from a walk in clinic, some kind of throat infection

Mind you, Karl might not have been sick for two weeks straight, just recorded several videos while he was sick so they're just getting released over time.

Theres actually a stronger type of the common cold going around; some people are sick for weeks, some for months. I was lucky, I only had it for 3 weeks. It was awful though, I lost my voice several times. I'm glad I'm also teaching my toddler sign language! Edit: Also, get well soon!

The Hillary Step is gone now! During the 2015 Nepal earthquake, the rock face that supported the step shifted and dislodged some pretty significant chunks, which then dislodged the entire boulder. It wasn't noticed until 2017 since Nepal had suspended permits until the earthquake damage was verified.

I would also think that if I had no soul

I agree

Ok I’m definitely biased here as a rock climbing instructor and mountain climber here, but it’s not a selfish accomplishment, all the people who are there know and except the risks that come along with it. My biggest mountain I’ve had the pleasure of summiting was Denali, and dear god that was the hardest and coldest month of my life but the feeling of the teamwork and accomplishment was something I doubt I will ever be able replicate. Not to mention the absolutely unreal views from the top. The pictures I took don’t come close to

@@seanheany444 I'll respect the fact that you made it back safely. I respect the physical endurance it takes. I just don't agree with the reasoning. But hey, to he/she their own. I'm not doing it because of the risks, mostly to others, and who I'd potentially leave behind. I'm not a worry or thought to anyone because I'm not in one (a mountain)! I'll take my chances walking my streets of Chicago thanks ...

On second thought, yeah I might mountain climb lol

From what I always gathered with all the documentaries I’ve watched on them and the mountain is that the Sherpas (and subsequently everyone in their community) didn’t climb it prior as it was feared and respected. Hence why they do these elaborate blessing ceremonies prior to climbing, asking for a safe passage and return on Everest in exchange to give the deity their offerings laid out at the base. “For many, the ceremonies are one of the most meaningful climbing experiences in Nepal and Tibet or anywhere with Sherpas. Before one climbs a peak, there are multiple blessings, prayers, and Pujas, especially Chomolungma, aka Sagarmatha (Everest). A puja is commonly called a Puja at Base Camp, but there are others along the way. All ceremonies pray to the mountain Gods for permission to climb, forgiveness for damaging the mountain, and safety for all those climbing.” The mountain is extremely sacred. There’s even been several climbers that will make it to the summit, but will not directly stand on the top as they feel it is disrespectful because it would be like “standing on top of the deity’s head”. Most of the Sherpas, especially those that are very religious, probably would not even climb the mountain in the first place due to these beliefs. However, since Everest is their biggest money maker for their country, they desperately rely on the tourism from it and seek forgiveness for going to the summit. I’ve no doubt they explored a lot before anyone attempted to summit and obviously know that mountain better than anyone else, but directly to the top before anyone else? It’s really hard to say as their beliefs are heavily embedded into their culture and way of life. It’s a very sacred place, and I don’t know if they would compromise that unless seeing if someone from the outside went first.

Entirely possible. Almost all climbers die on the way down. There's such a brief window of time a climber can spend in the death zone, and many ways to exceed that time. Weather can change in a heartbeat, and climber error is not infrequent. Watching your last bottle of supplemental oxygen bounce into a crevasse is maybe the worst feeling in the world.

He’s British. That’s just how they look

I wasn't sure at first but I think you're right. He doesn't seem as chipper as he usually is though