I understand that there is very little oxygen at 29,000 feet above sea level so climbing without bottled oxygen is extremely difficult. My question is this, if you are climbing with oxygen supplies y is it so hard to reach the top. I have read books about it and viewd films and they state that even with oxygen, it takes many breaths to even make one step. I dont get it because during WWII, bobediers flew in unpressurized airplanes with prmitive oxygen supplement systems at altitudes of up to 30,000 ft and seemed to have a much easier time functioning in the planes as compared to mountaneers. Why is that?
2006-11-05 10:40:26 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Those pilots and bombers you learned about didn't have to exert themselves like someone who climbs everest does.
The reason it takes about 3-4 months to climb mount Everest is because the climbers must "acclimatize" themselves to the low-oxygen environment. The body basically gets used to not having as much oxygen as usual.
If the climbers don't allow time to acclimatize, and just head to the top, they will die, because the body can't function without the oxygen available... the change is too extreme.
2006-11-05 10:46:49 · answer #1 · answered by Canadian Scientist 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Even with oxygen, there is a great deal of physical effort involved in climbing to the 29,000 foot level. And you have to carry that tank of oxygen with you, which adds to your load. Everest is very tricky to climb, with lots of ice to contend with, and snow to get through. So there is a great deal of physical effort. Yes, the WW2 bombadiers flew in unpressurized craft with primitive oxygen supplement systems at altitudes of up to 30,000 feet, but they were not undergoing the physical exertion that the mountain climbers were.
A tank of oxygen weighs around 25-35 pounds. Put that much weight on your shoulder, and climb up the nearest ski hill to get some idea of what the mountaineers are going through.
What I find amazing is the numbers of people who do succeed!
2006-11-05 10:45:42 · answer #2 · answered by old lady 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Its not only the lack of oxygen, but also the extreme, unpredictable weather and the rough terrain. As far as the oxygen goes, everyone lungs have different capacities. Conrad Anker (famous climber) can go up Everest without supplemental oxygen....whereas Ed Viestuers (sp?) might have to use oxygen tanks.
2006-11-05 10:45:02 · answer #3 · answered by SAGAL79 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try climbing the second highest mountain in the world, then I'll answer this question
2006-11-05 10:48:58 · answer #4 · answered by The Raging Monkey 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
oxygen decreases when you go higher up in the atomsophere and the weather is unperdictable
2006-11-05 10:44:31 · answer #5 · answered by gordon_benbow 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I concur completely with "old lady". ESPECIALLY the last sentence.
2006-11-05 10:53:14 · answer #6 · answered by gimpalomg 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
welll,,, its kinda hard not to breathe hard when ur trying not to fall of and die...... plus its very hard to find the perfect spot to put ur hook thingy...ohhh and they are probably worried that theres gonna be an avalanche...
2006-11-05 10:43:56 · answer #7 · answered by babykins 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
probably because its cold
2006-11-05 10:53:46 · answer #8 · answered by SilverPhoenix762 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋