Have you ever wanted to climb Mount Everest without actually having to travel there? Well now you can. The Discovery Channel has created a way for you to experience the trek to the summit, without ever having to leave your couch.
The hike begins at base camp and leads you to Camp 1, the Khumbu Icefall. At almost 20,000 feet above elevation, the trek stops and gives you details on what happened at this point of the climb.
What Happened?
The Khumbu Icefall area is covered with unstable boulders of ice and deadly crevices. At approximately, 6:30 a.m. on April 18th, 2014, an ice avalanche occurred near the top of Khumbu and took the lives of 16 hikers. The purpose of 3D stimulation is not only to experience the incredible journey through your computer screen, but is also in dedication to the lives lost from the house-sized ice boulders.
This mountaineering accident was definitely not the first. In 1996, 8 people were killed over a two-day period during a rogue storm while attempting to climb the mountain. Despite these deadly disasters, hundreds of climbers from around the world continue to attempt the long trek to get to the top. But why?
Why People Continue to Risk Their Lives
Mount Everest is identified as the highest mountain in the world, which immediately becomes an object of fascination. Because it’s the biggest, if you can make it to the top – and survive – it’s like winning a trophy. Humans are very competitive by nature. If you said you went to Everest, the highest mountain available to mankind, then you have climbed to the top of the mountain of braveness, both literally and figuratively.
Bungee jumping, scuba diving, sky diving: if these are your types of activities, then maybe making this trek to the top of Everest is your next adventure. If you’re not a huge thrill-seeker and don’t choose to “live on the edge,” then the virtual experience of the Mount Everest climb is for you.
Mount Everest in 3D
At 29,035 feet above elevation, you can get a full outlook of the scenery surrounding you from the top of the mountain. Straight away you can see Nepal in the distance and as you begin to make a circle, you will see the dry lands of China in the distance. You can also choose to zoom in to get a closer look at the adjacent mountains and neighboring countries. It’s interesting to get a feel from this virtual experience what it would be like if you climbed the real thing.
And hey, we won’t tattle if you end up telling your friends that you climbed the tallest mountain in the world.
Support and donate to the families of the Sherpas who died on Mt. Everest after the single deadliest avalanche in the mountain’s history: http://everestavalanchetragedy.com/sherpa-fund.html. And to take the virtual tour, check it out here: http://everestavalanchetragedy.com/mt-everest-journey.html.
