I’ve been following the Tale of the Torch on its way up Qomolangma via Reuter’s Countdown to Beijing blog. The biggest story coming from the Everest Base Camp where Nick Mulvenney, David Gray and Mark Chisolm are holed up is that there is no real news to report, though they have been there for a week. It’s not as if they’re dodging their duties, but the lack of information coming from their hosts leaves little to pass on. But I’d still suggest you have a look, since they are getting some great photos as they shiver and wait for … something.
In this campaign to carry the Flame to the highest (notice, a superlative) point in the world, the biggest (and there’s another) fear is that there will be some sort of disaster, though even if that happens it’s unlikely we’ll hear anything about it, big dreams being what big dreams are. A two-day snowstorm has just blanketed the region. The photo of the torch atop the summit is what this is all about, but whether or not they will get it is anyone’s guess at this point. If they don’t, there will be hell to pay. But it is doubtful that we would hear about that either. Geography, politics and weather can be tough on careers in this part of the world. I have a sense that some of those involved believe that death is not the worst thing that could happen here, not when national hopes are running so historically and wildly high.
There is nothing portentous to read into whatever the outcome will be. Sometimes the mountain is just too difficult to climb, and at other times you end up catching a break. But no matter how this all plays out and how it is subsequently spun, my only hope is that every person who walked onto the mountain is able to walk off with all their digits and limbs intact, smiling. Any desired result that attempts to trump that is pointless.
4 responses so far ↓
1 zhwj // May 6, 2008 at 8:49 pm
You might be interested in this post at Newsweek’s China blog, including an interesting aside about how China may have “leaned heavily into Nepal’s internal affairs to protect its Olympic pride and its sovereignty over Tibet from attention-grabbing stunts by protesters.”
2 Bill // May 6, 2008 at 11:25 pm
If “The photo of the torch atop the summit is what this is all about”, why not just bring out the well used Photoshop ? Hmm… May be that is held in reserve.
3 jg // May 6, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Thanks for this. The sightings of Chinese military in Nepal – “Journalists who visited the Nepalese Everest Base Camp have reported sightings of Chinese military in Nepalese villages lower down the Everest trail, and a recent airborne inspection by senior Chinese military guests in a Nepalese army helicopter.” – is disturbing, though my hope still remains that they all get off alive and intact. There’s a point when “Uncle!” is the only rational response. Let’s hope that they don’t wait too long to say it. Timing is everything here, and in the desire to summit, someone may have to step up and call it off. And if they have to do this it will be interesting how that person and his decision will be second-guessed by the frenzied nationalists who turned on Jin Jing when she opted for rationality.
4 jg // May 6, 2008 at 11:53 pm
Although Photoshop is always an option, I don’t think they’ll make that mistake here. Too many eyes and techies are watching for it. And getting caught on something like that would be bigger than the fullest moon. Dumber too. That said, I am reminded of the words of the dearly departed Hunter S. Thompson: “When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.”
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