The Inside Story Of Mount Everest's Deadliest Climbing Season | A Deadly Ascent | CNA Documentary

In Mumbai, an elderly climber is still coming to terms with the death of his wife. He is haunted by the moment he made the decision to leave her on the mountain. In Kashmir, a young climber blames the crowds for his decision to turn back when he was only 800 metres from the summit. For one who’s always wanted to scale the summit, it has become a pipe dream. Climbers and sherpas weigh in on why and how the mountain has become so overcrowded, and the long-lasting impact of environmental issues.

CONTINUE WATCHING:
Has The Exploitation Of Mount Everest Reached Its Peak?

=======
About A Deadly Ascent: In 2019, 11 people died on Mt. Everest in one of the deadliest climbing seasons. This is the untold story with firsthand accounts of exploitation that led to overcrowding and its environmental effects.
===========
#CNAInsider #ADeadlyAscentCNA #MountEverest #Mountaineering

For more, SUBSCRIBE to CNA INSIDER!

Follow CNA INSIDER on:

[MsIrina-hvot]

What a smart man who had enough willpower to turn around and not die on Everest because of his ego or money!

[outlast_the_night]

"Even if I make it to the summit, what if I can't make it back down?"

This. This realisation right here is SO important, and it's what's lacking in so many of these climbers that only think about the summit, and might end up dying while trying to summit or come back from the summit of Everest. As one of the more experienced climbers in another Everest documentary stated, "When you're on top of the world, you're halfway there".

[annikamongan]

We’re expected to see the ones who summit as heroes. In reality, it’s the ones who had the wisdom to turn around who are the true heroes. The Sherpas who made the call, and those who listened to them. You are the heroes! Who knows how many lives you saved that day? I have so much respect for those who had the courage and strength to turn around.

[Anamika_M]

So proud of Rizza. I was disheartened because of the kind of discrimination he faced by more experienced non Indian climbers. But glad that he made the right decision

[adityac]

Always remember my trainer's word, "your destination is not the peak, it is your own home, your own bed, the peak is but a transit point"

[aku_emiv]

I know I'll never climb Mt.Everest but I'm so fascinated by it.

[APixieNinja]

Rizza seems like a sweetheart. I'm glad he turned around. Respect to him and Anjali. That broke my heart. RIP to her and all who have died on that mountain.

[mathewmeehan]

I have nothing but the utmost respect for that young Indian climber. Just for turning back that guy is wise beyond his years, and even if he never attempts everest ever again for me he has achieved so much that will inspire and educate others forever.

[nonmihiseddeo]

I'm proud of Rizza. He did the wise thing, and returned home to his father.

[mutekuro]

I agree with Alan Arnette and have a few other suggestions:
1) Climbers should only be allowed to attempt to summit Everest if they have completed at least 2 other 8000 meters mountains
2) They should be required to pass a certification exam that queries their mountaineering and high altitude first aid skills and knowledge
3) At the base camp, after weeks of acclimatization, a physical test measuring your climbing speed and your ability to travel with a 20-30kg day pack with two oxygen bottles during acclimatization climbs should be performed, only then should you be cleared for a submit push. Sucks to be you If paid all that money and failed the physical test. A lot of these selfish assholes climb with the expectation that If things go south, they’ll be rescued by Sherpas.
3) The Nepalese government should consider issuing significantly discounted permits to people who sensibly turned around due to overcrowding. If people know they can attempt again at a lower cost, It should hopefully be an incentive to turnaround and reduce the “summit or die” behavior.
3) There needs to be a standard for what is allowed at base camp. Just the essentials!! Mountaineering is minimalist and about communing with nature. Not replicating the luxuries you have at home. All of this none sense like the TVs, luxurious chairs, dining tables etc are influencing spoiled and inexperienced climbers to embark on this journey. It also contributes to the amount of waste left at base camp and the path to summit .
4) Nepal’s government should collaborate equipment manufacturers on R&D for larger capacity oxygen bottles or more visible indicators on the regulators. That way the community of climbers can pressure people with low volumes to go back if they are slow or there is a long wait.
5)We need to stop the whole competition around “oldest person” to submit/allowing more senior people to climb. Just because you’ve trekked or completed 500 hours of training doesn’t make you a mountaineer.

I feel the most for the Sherpas. They disproportionately die because they have to care for dickheads who ego climb. It’s rather unfortunate that there no other employment opportunities that pay as well climbing support.

[largolt]

33:23 - I feel that is why he is still alive. He kept his frustration/pride in check long enough to see reality and understand that the mountain decides whether you summit, not your ego. I believe that's why he is still alive.

[vsMagua]

Turning around was not just "...the biggest decision you made in your life.", but probably the smartest decision you made in your life. You were blessed with a good Sherpa. In my book, you made it to the summit and you should know that in your heart.

[pwarren]

I bet Rizza's parents are much more proud of him for turning back than they would have been if he had summited, even if he had survived!
It also sounds like he was able to gain so much insight and understanding about the important things in life. The fact that his parents were willing to take out a loan to help him do something that was so important to him, shows just how important he was to them! Obviously, money wasnt as important to them as their son and he was able to realize that the summit wasnt as important as his life and his parents.

[_treasure]

Looks like an absolute nightmare to me. I can't figure out why anyone would put themselves through that.

[jessnow]

when he said "one of the biggest Decisions I've made in my life" that's the decision that saved HIS life. wise beyond his years.

[tophue]

Respect to those like Rizza who made the brave decision to turn around despite having to give up so much (pride, money, dreams etc). Those things can't compare to one's own life.

[synchronyJEM]

Rizza, that Sherpa saved your life. You should also be proud of making such a decision, especially under O2 starvation.

[Leo-ebwl]

The fact that people treat it like a game makes me sick. If you don’t respect the mountains they will take your life in minutes.

[Wil_Dasovich]

Glad Rizza turned back! Just spent the week with him at GoPro Summit in Taiwan and he is a stand up genuine guy. What a fascinating story this was, oddly makes me want to try the climb!

[blessedgiftson]

This could break anyone's heart... Seeing your loved one dying right in front of your eyes at that high level of mountain and you weren't able to help them and got to leave that place for a reason and knowing that they are at the edge of their life, is unexplainable... I'm so sorry for Mr. Sharad for losing his beloved wife in this heartbreaking tragedy... Imo, permitting too many climbers to the Everest at the same time, must be avoided...! Being alive is a way important than reaching to the top of the Everest...