Risk+vs+Reward

__**Risk VS. Reward**__
By: Katie Russell

A photo taken of Rob Hall's memorial where he died in the 1996 Mount Everest disaster from the webiste: http://www.peakfreaks.com/everestclimbphotos.htm Do you think this was a risk or reward for Rob Hall?

In Jon Krakauer's story, __Into Thin Air__, my question is: In the end, was it worth it? Was it more of a risk or more of a reward at the end? When deciding to go on this expedition, you have to realize who is with you and how far you’re willing to go for each of these people. In this expedition there were 26 people; some climbers Jon knew, and some he didn’t know so well. I think that whether or not you know the climbers, you’re going there as a team; not by yourself. It’s important to make sure that everyone going on the expedition has been training together so they are all prepared and know exactly what to expect of each other. Beginning this expedition as a group with one another was very positive. All of the climbers all looked forward to climbing to the top of the summit and also climbing back to the bottom; all together. This wasn’t the case. In this situation, one would ask themselves; would this be worth it? In the end, I really don’t think it would be worth it through everything they went through, both mentally and physically. The feeling of being able to make it to the summit on Mount Everest is probably the best feeling in the world, although the worst part of the journey was yet to come. Jon Kraukauer stated, Reaching the top of Everest is supposed to trigger a surge of intense elation; against long odds, after all, I had just attained a goal I’d coveted since childhood. But the summit was really only the halfway point. Any impulse I might have felt toward self-congratulation was extinguished by overwhelming apprehension about the long, dangerous descent that lay ahead (Krakauer, Page 238). The feelings each of the climbers felt while making it to the top of the summit were a feeling of reward; but it just wasn’t worth it. Although no one was expecting the storm, when going on this expedition one would have to be prepared for the worst that can happen even though no one ever really thought it would happen to them. It’s one of the biggest risks you can take in your life. Taking the risk of climbing Mount Everest is risking your life and your family and loved ones. Completing the expedition would obviously be a reward, but there are so many worse situations that one should consider when taking these chances. This expedition is being completed with some people that were known well, and some that weren’t; but they were all in it together. The survivors and non-survivors went through some of the worst experiences that anyone ever will encounter when climbing Mt. Everest. Some were basically left to die, knowing that they wouldn’t be able to make it themselves if they didn't leave others then and there in the storm. It’s a very serious and scary choice to make when leaving someone and it’s really not worth it in the end to see someone you love or even someone you care about that your completing this expedition with. All of the climbers had families and people that loved them and it’s not fair to put their lives in jeopardy when they are all loved and needed by their families at home. The risk of this expedition is really not worth it, even if one was prepared physically and mentally. Some of the best climbers in the world involved in this expedition were killed. Being mentally and physically prepared for this expedition would not save one’s life from a massive storm that hits Mt. Everest. This is yet another reason why it just isn’t worth it to put yourself in this situation where although you think your “invincible,” as stated by Scott Fisher, he didn’t even make it (Into Thin Air - The Movie). In the end, was it a “risk” or “reward?” It’s a risk. This expedition is a risk that no matter how ready you think you are; you’re taking this risk for your family, your loved ones, and most of all for yourself. No matter how physically or mentally prepared you may think you are in order to complete this expedition; I don’t think anyone will ever really be entirely “prepared” for such a intense life-threatening expedition as climbing Mount Everest.

Krakauer, Jon. __Into Thin Air__. Villard, New York: Jon Krakauer, 1997. 1-291. http://www.peakfreaks.com/everestclimbphotos.htm
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