They deserve their success. But let’s look at the cost of the climb. The total financial burden will probably never be known, but it includes the road China built into the mountain, the media center erected at its base and the 50 mountaineers kept there for two months, awaiting favorable conditions. Then there’s the compensation to Nepal for lost revenue (the country had to close its side of the mountain during the height of climbing season, while the Olympic team summited).
After Everest reopened, commercial climbers faced a difficult choice. They’d already spent much of the season corralled at base camp. Now, to reach the top before the summer monsoon arrives at the end of May (with its heavy snows and greater avalanche risk) is a chancy bet. And with so many teams rushing for the peak at once, the dangers of the climb will be magnified.
The Everest torch failed to match the drama of the London and Paris protests. But it epitomizes Beijing’s preparations: take on a huge task (scaling the highest peak, modernizing a capital city), benchmark oneself as publicly as possible, and succeed. At any cost.
