Earth Science: Geology, the Environment, and the Universe

Unit 5: The Dynamic Earth

WebQuest Projects 1

Challenging Mount Everest

Introduction

These “vacationers” endure sleep deprivation, uncomfortable temperature extremes, incredible fatigue, and the inability to eat and drink properly. Oxygen deficiency brought on by the high-altitude environment can cause nausea and mental confusion. Winds can howl, the snow is blinding, and grueling physical effort is required to simply put one foot in front of the other. Along the way, these travelers may encounter the frozen bodies of previous visitors who will never make it home. And, believe it or not, most of these individuals have paid more than $65,000 to “enjoy” this unusual experience.

What is this “vacation,” and why do so many people enthusiastically train their bodies and access their bank accounts to experience it? This trip is a journey to the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, at 29,035 feet above sea level. Since 1953, when Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first to reach the summit of Mount Everest, about 1100 people have successfully followed in their footsteps. Many more have tried, and failed. The conditions are harsh and comforts nearly nonexistent. But the lure of the mountain is strong, strong enough to draw more than 500 climbers who try to reach the summit each year. In this WebQuest, you will explore what it takes to successfully climb to the top of the world.


Task

Your job in this WebQuest is to learn about Mount Everest and the factors that must coincide for a successful journey to the summit. You will investigate the dynamics and requirements of a high-altitude climb, as well as how this type of environment affects the human body. You will study a variety of Web sites which will provide insight into the challenges posed by climbing in this environment, and you will answer a series of questions which will demonstrate what you have learned. Once you have conducted sufficient research, you will plan an expedition to the summit of Mount Everest. The plan will include your physical preparation and financial commitment, as well as the types of equipment and clothing you will purchase. The plan will outline the date and length of your trip, the route you intend to take up the mountain, and a day-to-day outline of your journey from Base Camp to the summit and back. The purpose of this plan is to help you understand the challenges posed to those who attempt to climb to the highest peak in the world.



Resources

The Web sites given here will help you answer questions about Mount Everest and the challenges it poses to those who attempt to reach the summit. The information you gather will help you create a plan for reaching the highest point above sea level on Earth.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/everest/
Visit this site to learn how humans are affected by high altitude, and the kinds of equipment and clothing people use to stay alive on Mount Everest. The site offers maps of both the North and South routes up the mountain. A history of human interaction with the mountain is offered, as well as a discussion of the formation and growth of the Himalayas. An interview with Ed Viesturs, a well known high-altitude climber, can also be found here.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/everest/
This site offers a wealth of information about Mount Everest, including a virtual climb up the mountain, articles and current news, and a quiz and game to rate how ready you are to take the Everest challenge.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/0305/expert_everest.html
This site shows the financial cost of an expedition to Mount Everest. Costs are broken down by categories, including crew, transportation and lodging, permits and fees, and supplies.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/denali/kids/body.html
Visit this site to learn how the human body is affected by high-altitude conditions. The site also shows basic survival skills all climbers should understand before attempting a high-altitude climb.

http://www.adventureweather.com
This site offers current and forecast weather conditions at Base Camp on Mount Everest, and at several points up to and including the summit during the climbing season. Information includes altitude, wind speed, temperature, and humidity. Graphs showing weather conditions in previous seasons are also available. A description of the “Weather Window” for climbing Mount Everest can be found at this site.

http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/everest/dispatches/dispatch20.html
Read the article at this site to learn how five women prepare for and make a trip to the summit of Mount Everest. The article gives specific information about the items they choose to take, and what must be left behind. It also outlines their daily plan, over a six-day period, for reaching the summit.

http://www.alanarnette.com/alan/everesttraining.htm
This site chronicles how one climber trains his body to prepare for climbing to the summit of Mount Everest.

http://www.mountainexperience.com/Adventures/Nepal-Climb.html#Tentative%20Expedition%20Itinerary
This site is an example of those offered by companies sponsoring expeditions to Mount Everest. Visit the site to learn about the logistics of signing up for, preparing for, and making the climb. The site gives a training overview, as well as minimum requirements that must be met by climbers to qualify for the trip. It also gives a tentative itinerary for the journey.

http://www.mnteverest.net/
Find information about current expeditions to Mount Everest, history, and the latest news from the mountain at this site which also provides live pictures from Everest.

http://www.everestnews.com
This site offers current Mount Everest news, as well as facts and details about high altitude climbing.


Time

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


Process

Read the following series of questions before beginning your research. As you explore each Web site, look for answers to the questions.

Questions about an Expedition to Mount Everest

  1. People who attempt to climb Mount Everest can experience something known as “mountain sickness,” which is caused by low oxygen levels at high altitude. What are some symptoms of this condition?
  2. Climbers and meteorologists keep track of the “weather window” on Mount Everest. The majority of all successful summits take place during this roughly three-week period. What causes the “weather window” on Mount Everest? When does it occur? What are the weather conditions like on Everest during this period?
  3. Identify some of the basic clothing and equipment used by Mount Everest climbers.
  4. Famous high-altitude climber and guide Ed Viesturs has reached the summit of Mount Everest five times, three of them without using supplemental oxygen. He often tells climbers who are part of teams he is leading, “Getting to the summit is optional, but getting down is mandatory.” What do you think this statement means?
  5. It is crucial that climbers who attempt to reach the summit of Mount Everest be in excellent physical condition. Describe an exercise regimen which could be used to physically prepare for an expedition.
  6. Most companies which sponsor expeditions to Mount Everest require that participants have a high level of mountaineering experience and training. Many require climbers to have made past climbs of over 22,000 feet, and some require references from past guides describing their skill level. Basic survival skills include self-arrest, building a snow cave and an igloo, and rescuing someone from a crevasse, or deep crack within a glacier. Study each of these procedures. Write a description of both the self-arrest and building a snow cave. Do you think these skills would be difficult to learn and to perform?
  7. An expedition to Mount Everest is extremely expensive. Costs are associated with salaries for crew members, transportation, lodging, government permits and fees, and supplies. Estimate the cost of a five-person expedition to Mount Everest. Break the costs down into categories of your choice.
  8. Once climbers reach Base Camp, they rest and prepare for the arduous journey to the summit of Mount Everest. Describe a typical daily plan for reaching the summit. How long does it take to move from one camp to the next? How many days does it take to complete the entire trek?

Next, visit the Web sites listed. Use the information from your research to answer the questions. As you study the sites, remember that you will use the information you gather to plan your own expedition to Mount Everest.

Finally, create a written plan for an expedition to Mount Everest. You will need to consider a variety of factors in your preparation. Be sure to plan for the following:

  • Physical Preparation: How will you train to get your body in peak physical condition for the journey?
  • Financial Planning: What expenses must you meet to be able to make the journey?
  • Equipment and Supplies: What types of clothing and equipment will you need to be prepared to attempt the summit?
  • Overall Schedule: On what date will you depart for the Himalayas? When will you reach Base Camp? In general, how long will you allow for remaining on the mountain in an attempt to reach the summit?
  • Contingency Plan: All team members will rely heavily on each other for moral, and perhaps physical support during the journey. What signs will you look for in fellow team members that the climb should be halted? What will you do if you strongly feel the team should head back down the mountain and abort the summit attempt?
  • Daily Plan from Base Camp to Summit: Will you choose the North or South Route up the mountain? How much time will you allow for moving between camps? Where will you spend the nights? At what time will you begin climbing each day, and at what time should you reach your daily destination?


The importance of a detailed, well-designed plan cannot be overestimated when planning an expedition to Mount Everest. Many people, including those who were well prepared, have lost their lives while attempting to reach the summit. Because of the dangers associated with bringing their bodies down the mountain, most of them are still there. Your research will help you develop a solid, detailed plan, which will increase the odds of surviving the journey.


Conclusion

While completing this WebQuest, you have learned about Mount Everest, and what it takes to successfully reach the summit. You have investigated how the body is affected by high altitude conditions, and learned the symptoms of “mountain sickness” which can affect climbers on Mount Everest. You have examined what it takes to prepare for an expedition to the Himalayas, including physical, financial, and equipment-related preparation. Finally, you have compiled your research and used your writing and organizational skills to create a plan for an expedition to Mount Everest. The skills you have utilized in this WebQuest are useful in many different subject areas and are part of many real-world tasks. Being able to research a topic, organize the findings, and develop a plan of action based upon numerous variables is critical in scientific research as well as in everyday life.

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