Earth Science: Geology, the Environment, and the Universe

Unit 5: The Dynamic Earth

WebQuest Projects 1

Challenging Mount Everest

Introduction

In this WebQuest, students plan an expedition to reach the summit of Mount Everest. They conduct Internet research about the factors that must be considered when planning such a trip, including the effects of high altitude on the human body, the kinds of equipment and clothing necessary, and the logistics of moving between points on the mountain. Students will gain an understanding of the challenges faced by the increasing numbers of individuals who attempt to reach the highest point on Earth.


Task

Students will answer a set of eight questions which will help guide them through their research on the Internet. Each Web site has some of the answers, but none of the Web sites alone will address all of the questions. Students should be able to compile information to answer the questions as they read through each Web site.

In the process of searching for answers to the questions, students will compile information about elements that must be considered when planning an expedition to Mount Everest. They will explore the financial costs associated with an expedition to the Himalayas. Students will investigate factors including the supplies, equipment, and physical preparation required to meet the environmental and geologic challenges of the mountain. They will also examine some survival skills that might be necessary during a high-altitude climb. Finally, students will use the knowledge they gain to plan an expedition to Mount Everest. Their plan will not only account for the factors outlined above, but will also include a daily itinerary taking them from Base Camp to the summit and back.

Objectives

  • Describe how the body is affected by low oxygen levels found at high altitude.
  • Summarize weather conditions generally present on Mount Everest during the “weather window,” or major climbing season on the mountain.
  • Explain what causes the Monsoon in India, and how this affects weather conditions on Mount Everest.
  • Identify clothing and equipment used by climbers to protect the body and move as safely as possible through the dangerous conditions posed by high-altitude climbing.
  • Explain why climbers who attempt to reach the summit of Mount Everest must be in excellent physical condition, and describe how they train their bodies to reach this level of conditioning.
  • Outline some basic survival skills necessary for high-altitude climbing.
  • Describe the financial costs associated with an expedition to the Himalayas.
  • Map a possible route to the summit of Mount Everest which includes a path, estimated climbing and resting times, sleeping locations, and an estimated total journey time.
  • Develop a written plan for an expedition to reach the summit of Mount Everest which addresses financial, physical, and equipment-related issues.


Resources

Students will use the Internet links given to learn what it takes to make a successful bid for the summit of Mount Everest. They will explore the numerous challenges of climbing in a high-altitude environment, including how the body is affected by low oxygen levels as well as the challenges posed by the extreme geological and meteorological conditions of this environment. The Internet resources provided will help students visualize the unique conditions found on the mountain, and will help them identify the kinds of clothing and equipment that are necessary to survive and travel to the highest point on Earth. The links also provide information about journey logistics, including the financial commitment required and the daily travel plans followed by climbers on their way to the summit.

The resources provided will enable students to develop a plan for an expedition to Mount Everest. Their research will expose them to the wide variety of factors that must be considered in such a plan. Many of the sites provide dispatches from actual expeditions, giving students the opportunity to read accounts from people who are currently or have recently been on the mountain. Reading these accounts and viewing pictures taken by these climbers will give students an interesting perspective from which to plan their own expeditions.


Time

1 week to answer the set of questions and prepare the expedition plan


Process

As students conduct research by reviewing the Web sites provided, be available to discuss any of the eight questions they may be having difficulty answering. These questions are designed to help students focus on what is required to reach the summit of Mount Everest. They address a wide variety of factors, all of which should ultimately be included in the expedition plan. Students may become interested in only one area of preparation, such as the physical training required, the interesting equipment necessary, or the survival skills that must be learned. Help them understand that all of the factors discussed in the questions must be addressed by individuals who attempt this risky endeavor.

After completing the question set, students should be relatively prepared to develop an expedition plan. Remind students of the issues that must be addressed in order for a plan to be complete. These issues, listed in the student materials, include physical preparation, financial planning, equipment and supplies, schedule, contingency plans, and a daily plan for attaining the summit after reaching Base Camp. The expedition plan should be a written document. Student documents will vary based on the organization scheme chosen by the writer. Remind students, however, that this document should be one that could actually be used by someone planning to climb Mount Everest.

Have students review the rubric to understand how their expedition plans will be evaluated.

If time permits, allow students to share their research and expedition plans with other class members in small groups. Students will likely learn some fascinating information about climbing on Mount Everest that they will want to discuss. The fact that someone has recently successfully ridden a snowboard from the summit to a much lower elevation, or that the frozen and preserved body of famous climber George Mallory, who disappeared on Mount Everest in 1924 while trying to be the first to reach the peak, was found and buried on the mountain in 1999, will be obvious topics of interest that students will likely uncover in their research. If possible, provide time for students to discuss facts their research revealed other than those directly related to the expedition plan.


Evaluation

You may assign ten points to each of the eight questions for a total of 80 possible points. The answers to the questions are given below. Rate the answer to each question using the following scale: Excellent – 9-10 points; Very Good – 7-8 points; Good – 5-6 points; Satisfactory – 3-4 points; Poor – 1-2 points; and Unsatisfactory – 0 points.

Answers to Questions About an Expedition to Mount Everest

  1. Symptoms of “mountain sickness” include impaired judgement and confusion. Fatigue and an inability to catch one’s breath are also possible symptoms. People suffering from this condition may not understand where they are, know where they come from, or recognize their friends.
  2. The “weather window” is related to the onset of the Monsoon in India. The Monsoon is a seasonal shift in the direction of the prevailing winds, which brings warm, humid air from the Indian Ocean over the Indian subcontinent. Between May 15 and June 8, when the Monsoon hits the Himalayas, the weather on Mount Everest becomes perfect for climbing. There are no winds resulting from the Jet Stream, low winds in general, and little precipitation during this period. Climbers are mindful, however, that local conditions, despite the “weather window,” can change for the worse very quickly.
  3. The basic layer of long underwear and socks is always worn. A down suit, wool hat, heave mittens or gloves, face mask, hiking boots and overboots are added as altitude increases. Ski goggles or glacier glasses protect eyes from the blinding glare of the Sun on snow. Other equipment either worn, strapped on, or carried in a lightweight backpack includes an ice axe, hammer, harness, crampons, oxygen canister, regulator, radio, first-aid kit, batteries, ice screws, pulleys for a crevasse rescue, rope, and a tent.
  4. Many climbers who attempt to reach the summit of Mount Everest are not successful. Their climbs may be aborted due to health, equipment, or weather-related issues. Experienced guides like Ed Viesturs know that it is more important to make a wise decision about the safety of making a summit attempt than to proceed if something is wrong. They will not lead a team further up the mountain if they become concerned that a team member will not be able to make it back to Base Camp.
  5. Being in excellent physical condition is essential for climbers who attempt a high-altitude climb. A training regime must include stretching, cardiovascular work, strength training, and exercises to improve balance. Those preparing for a summit of Mount Everest might engage in long-distance running or biking to improve cardiovascular capabilities. Sit-ups and weight lifting are important in building muscular strength. Improving balance is important, as many crevasses on the mountain are crossed by walking across a ladder which straddles both sides. The ladder must be crossed while carrying a heavy backpack, and falling from the ladder into the deep crack in the glacier is simply not an option. Most climbers, however, say that the best training comes from completing actual climbs in lower-altitude conditions carrying a heavy backpack.
  6. The self-arrest allows a climber to keep a slip on snow or ice from turning into an uncontrolled slide down the mountain. The climber drives his ice axe into the snow, and put the maximum amount of force possible into the pick, stopping the slide. A snow cave can provide enough shelter from the elements to keep a climber alive. An entrance is dug, about three feet deep, which is large enough for the climber to get through. The entrance should be lower than the main chamber to keep wind from blowing into the cave. Next, the main chamber is dug upward. As the climber digs, he pushes snow to the doorway, where a partner helps by pushing it outside. The main chamber should be level and flat. Once a ventilation hole is created using an ice axe, blocks of snow can be placed in the doorway to stop wind from blowing inside. Both of these survival skills would likely be difficult to perform under the extreme conditions on Mount Everest.
  7. The information below shows some of the items and the associated expense.


  8. Crew:  
      Lead Guide
    $25,000
     Assistant Guide $15,000 each
     Sherpas (Indian guides) $5,000 each
     Cooks $3,500 each
     Liaison Officer$3,000
     Doctor $4,000
     
    Transportation and Lodging to Reach Base Camp from Kathmandu
     Travel for guides$2,500
     Moving equipment to Kathmandu$8,000
     Hotel in Kathmandu $600
     Helicopter and plane charters$22,000
     Yaks to carry equipment $7,500
     Trip from Kathmandu to Base Camp$6,000
     
    Government Permits and Fees
      Climbing permit (5 person party)
    $60,000
     Radio and phone permits $3,000
     Garbage and human waste disposal $4000
     
    Supplies
      Fuel, oxygen, food, batteries, medical supplies, tents$4000
     
    Basic Clothing and Equipment
      Per person $8,000
       

  9. Answers will vary. A typical summit attempt on the South Route might cover a six-day period from Base Camp to summit and back. Students might allot one day for travel from Base Camp to Camp 1, with a sleepover at Camp 1, a second day for travel from Camp 1 to Camp 2, with a sleepover at Camp 2, a third day for travel from Camp 2 to Camp 3, with a sleepover at Camp 3, and a fourth day for travel from Camp 3 to Camp 4, with a relatively short rest at Camp 4. The fifth and sixth days might be spent moving from Camp 4 to the summit, then back down the mountain. Some climbers allot 18 hours for this final part of the journey.

Evaluating the Expedition Plan

Assess each student’s expedition plan using the evaluation rubric or some other tool. Evaluation of the scrapbook should include both self-assessment and teacher assessment.


Conclusion

Based on information gathered from the Internet, students should be able to answer questions about Mount Everest expeditions. Student should be able to explain the effects of low oxygen levels found at high altitude on the human body. Students should also be able to describe how specific clothing, equipment, and survival techniques are used to protect and keep climbers as comfortable and safe as possible during a summit attempt. After completing their research, students should apply what they have learned to develop a comprehensive plan for mounting an expedition to Mount Everest, including the scheduling, financial, and physical planning necessary for a successful trip.

Expedition Plan Rubric

Expedition Plan
Rubric
Points PossibleSelf-Assessment Teacher Assessment
The plan is clear, well-written, and easy to follow.
10
  
The plan outlines the training regime required to physically prepare for the expedition.
10
  
The plan details the financial costs associated with the expedition.
10
  
The plan describes the supplies and equipment needed for the expedition.
10
  
The plan outlines an overall schedule for the expedition, as well as a daily climbing itinerary once Base Camp is reached.
10
  

Rate each category according to the following scale:
Excellent – 9-10 points; Very Good – 7-8 points; Good – 5-6 points; Satisfactory – 3-4 points; Poor – 1-2 points; and Unsatisfactory – 0 points.

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