2023-05-28 20:49:40
Everest celebrates 70 years since its first ascent. A few days ago, an 18-year-old Frenchman from Brittany managed to reach his peak. Reporting.
To conquer the roof of the world, admired in spite of the danger, which few men have contemplated. The summit of Everest, swept by the winds, where oxygen is lacking and the cold paralyzes, has never attracted so many climbers, to the point of creating queues on its slopes on certain days. What drives human beings, despite the risks, to venture there? At more than 8,000 meters above sea level, this is the death zone. Twelve people have already lost their lives trying to climb Everest, just since the beginning of the year. How much madness does it take to dare to challenge the king of the Himalayas?
At the foot of Everest, on the base camp, two Americans are among the heroes of the season. They have just climbed the summit, after several hours of ascent.
Go beyond yourself, test your limits
This feat, this other mountaineer, a Frenchman, has also just achieved it. At only 18 years old, Alasdair McKenzie has just broken a record: he is the youngest Frenchman to have climbed Everest. “I feel good after this ascent. This view, this feeling of freedom, to be up there, it’s magic”, he said. To reach the summit, he says he was only moved by a desire, common to all climbers, that of surpassing himself, of testing his limits. “You really learn a lot about yourself, to overcome, and I think that’s why a lot of people attempt the summit”says Alasdair McKenzie.
These feats would not exist without the Sherpas. They are the ones who accompany the climbers to the summit. Sonam Phinjo has already reached the highest point on earth four times with clients, and he is only 29 years old. For him, in addition to excellent physical shape, the first quality to reach the top is unfailing optimism. “If the mind is there, the body automatically follows”says the mountain guide.
#ascent #dangers