Whoa, This Was Unexpected: Mount Everest Guides Accused of Poisoning Climbers for Profit

There are some things in life I have no desire to do. One of them is to run a marathon; I respect all those of you who find meaning in accomplishing such a feat, but to me, running for 26 pain-soaked miles just isn’t all that appealing. Then again, I’ve gone parachuting more than once, and that’s something that doesn’t float everyone’s boat either.

Another adventure I’m happy to miss is climbing Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world, one that straddles the China–Nepal border.

If you’ve ever read American writer and mountaineer Jon Krakauer’s book about what really goes on up there, Into Thin Air — which I highly recommend — you’ll know that it’s not for the faint of heart. While covering the story for Outside Magazine, he was making the upward trek when a storm hit, and eight climbers were killed.

Sorry, but what’s the appeal again?