Bostonion attempting 7 Summits and both poles speed record

[B the Hiker]

Bostonian Vanasse O'Brien is attempting to do the Seven Summits and reach both the north and south poles in a shorter time period than any woman has before.

http://mobile.boston.com/art/35/new...1317B4EE19A0CE35130B70E8D901A1FD?single=1&p=2


Brian

 

[David Metsky]

But can she do it with as much style as our Lei? I don't think so.

 

[sardog1]

Count me as among those unimpressed by anyone, of either gender, who gets a ride to within 60-70 nautical miles of the Poles, tags them, gets a ride out and then claims to have bagged them.

 

[Bob]

yawn.........

 

[B the Hiker]

Count me as among those unimpressed by anyone, of either gender, who gets a ride to within 60-70 nautical miles of the Poles, tags them, gets a ride out and then claims to have bagged them.

I was under the impression that was the standard, err, Dog. What did you have in mind?

 

[sardog1]

I was under the impression that was the standard, err, Dog. What did you have in mind?

The South Pole was first reached by skiing across Antarctica from the coast 102 years ago. That has since been duplicated many times. Similar journeys to the North Pole have been done as well. Doing it from a mere degree of latitude away, with a ride out afterward, is unimpressive against that history.

 

[Bob]

The South Pole was first reached by skiing across Antarctica from the coast 102 years ago. That has since been duplicated many times.

did anyone catch that movie at BANFF FF this year- A two person team doing an unsupported South Pole expedition?

Now that was impressive...

 

[RoySwkr]

At least doing them quickly won't tie up your life for a long time as was the case with earlier explorers

Count me as among those unimpressed by anyone, of either gender, who gets a ride to within 60-70 nautical miles of the Poles, tags them, gets a ride out and then claims to have bagged them.

Of course many summits such as Mt Everest required a much longer approach before the days of air travel

Once a helicopter is developed that can hover at 29,000', the record will be set by whomever can afford two weeks rental of it and a plane to fly it around

 

[DougPaul]

did anyone catch that movie at BANFF FF this year- A two person team doing an unsupported South Pole expedition?

Messner and Fuchs did an unsupported traverse of the South Pole in 1989-1990 (coast to pole to coast).
http://www.southpolestation.com/trivia/history/messner.html

(Note that a traverse does not allow one to place food drops on the way in--everything must be carried the entire way.)

Even though others have reached the SP without mechanical aid, it is still a non-trivial undertaking.

Doug

 

[DougPaul]

Count me as among those unimpressed by anyone, of either gender, who gets a ride to within 60-70 nautical miles of the Poles, tags them, gets a ride out and then claims to have bagged them.

I also consider this version of pole-bagging to be bogus. (Still, traveling for 1-2 weeks in these parts of the world is non-trivial. However, it does not compare to a completely unsupported trek from land (NP) or the coast (SP).)

The seven summits and two poles have been downgraded by commercialization.

60-70 (statute) miles is chosen because it is 1 degree of longitude. (The definition of nautical mile is based upon 1 minute = 1 nautical mile and thus 60 nautical miles = 1 degree.)

Doug

 

[DougPaul]

Once a helicopter is developed that can hover at 29,000', the record will be set by whomever can afford two weeks rental of it and a plane to fly it around

A helicopter has already landed on the summit of Everest.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/0509/whats_new/helicopter_everest.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurocopter_AS350

This was a stripped down version with only a pilot on board. I don't know if any helicopter has the capability of carrying a passenger that high.

There have been helicopter rescues (ie pilot plus a passenger) from the Western Cwm (on Everest) at 20000 ft.

Doug

 

[RoySwkr]

A helicopter has already landed on the summit of Everest.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurocopter_AS350

There is some controversy as to how near the summit he actually landed, and the FAI link is dead so perhaps they retracted their recognition

I'm not sure whether flying skill or light weight is more important for this accomplishment, unfortunately I have neither

 

[DougPaul]

There is some controversy as to how near the summit he actually landed, and the FAI link is dead so perhaps they retracted their recognition

I read the reports at the time--the pilot reported placing a skid on the summit and sitting there for 2 minutes. There was video that appeared to confirm the report.

According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurocopter_AS350 the record was confirmed by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.

video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HckQcNNoJc

I'm not sure whether flying skill or light weight is more important for this accomplishment, unfortunately I have neither

Takes both plus perfect weather.

Doug

 

[RoySwkr]

I read the reports at the time--the pilot reported placing a skid on the summit and sitting there for 2 minutes. There was video that appeared to confirm the report.

Yes, he claimed that at the time but various people challenged it as there was no independent confirmation and the video is inconclusive as to location

 

[Chugach001]

The older I get the more I think this sort of monumental, yet vain, effort would be much better spent feeding the poor or fighting disease. And I think I'm not saying this out of envy.

 

[DougPaul]

Yes, he claimed that at the time but various people challenged it as there was no independent confirmation and the video is inconclusive as to location

Any references?

Doug