02/10/2024
•Everest•
China Style
I have to admit that I had pretty mixed feelings about this trip. On one hand I have the opportunity to visit Everest again and this time from the Northside. The mighty Qomolongma. A place I’ve read so much about in so many books, and loved learning about the history of Mallory and the early expeditions. A place I’ve always wanted to visit.
But on the other hand not only witnessing, but being a part of the tourism circus of being driven up here by bus with hundreds of other Chinese tourists in jeans and T-shirt sucking on their £1 oxygen canisters just felt wrong and really sad at what the North basecamp has become. I have a permanent post office, supermarket, night club and a warm hut serving hotpot at my disposal tonight. I’m still not sure how I feel about it.
I guess the mountains should be available for everyone to enjoy but where do we draw the line? How long before there is a hotel here next door neighbour to the Rongbuk Monastery? with prime viewing of the North ridge of Everest I’d say not very long after seeing this today. But then, is that any different from the Eiger or Mt Blanc? It feels different having that in the Himalayas.
I think the only saving grace is that the tourist basecamp is restricted further down the valley from the climbers base camp, and so the two wouldn’t interfere with each other in the climbing season. Out of the main season now, having the ability to see these views for myself with relative ease is something I do feel very lucky to have had the opportunity.
