Summary Chapter 4 Flashcards
(25 cards)
What river do Krakauer and the mountaineering team march toward Everest along?
Dudh Kosi
The Dudh Kosi is a significant river in the region leading to Everest.
What has the landscape surrounding Mount Everest been converted into?
Farmland
This suggests the commercialization of the area.
Who is Mike Groom?
The third guide for the expedition
Groom had his toes amputated from frostbite but continues to climb.
What is a notable characteristic of the Sherpa community?
They are excellent climbers and predominantly live in the Himalayas.
How many Sherpas are estimated to exist?
No more than 20,000 people.
What major criticism is associated with the rise of mountaineering in Nepal?
Destruction of Sherpa culture.
What positive changes has tourism brought to the Sherpa community?
Better schools and hospitals.
What does Krakauer find patronizing about American views on Sherpa culture?
Lamenting the loss of the good old days.
Who does Krakauer meet at the Buddhist monastery?
The rimpoche (head monk of Nepal).
What significant vow had the rimpoche completed before Krakauer’s visit?
A three-month vow of silence.
What does Krakauer notice in the monastery that surprises him?
Photographs of the rimpoche with Richard Gere and Steven Seagal.
What does Krakauer feel about the first six days of the climb?
He feels like he’s in a dream.
What medical clinic is associated with Andy Harris’s wife?
A Himalayan medical clinic.
What has contributed to a decrease in the mortality rate for Everest climbers?
Efforts of the Himalayan medical clinic.
What observation does Krakauer make about some of his teammates?
They are sometimes oblivious and self-centered.
What does Krakauer note about the ‘Americanization’ of the Himalayas?
Clueless, disrespectful Westerners dominate the area.
What is Krakauer’s perspective on the impact of Everest tourism on Sherpa culture?
It has changed Sherpa culture but also brought opportunities.
What does Krakauer symbolize through his encounter with the rimpoche?
The way Westernization has changed Himalayan culture.
What does Krakauer notice about the terrain during the climb?
It is unchallenging at this point.
What happens to Tenzing, a Sherpa herder working for Hall?
He falls and seriously injures himself.
What is Rob Hall’s attitude towards Sherpa guides?
He is unusually respectful to them.
What does Hall criticize other mountain guides for?
Being too careless with Sherpa staff.
What is a significant reason Krakauer and the expedition team need to proceed slowly?
Their bodies need time to adjust to high altitude.
What is the air quality like at high altitude?
Thinner air with less oxygen.
