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John Kazanas summits Everest 28-May-2010 At 2:55:06 PM SteveH

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On 28/05/2010 Duncan wrote:
>I'm just surprised that no one has used the phrase "tall poppy syndrome"
>yet. Honestly, you people are slipping.
>
>What reason is there to want to climb Everest? It's not particularly
>aesthetic. It's not easy to get to. It's not, as evidenced by the fact
>that a 13 yo has done it, that difficult. The only reason that I can see
>to want to climb it is that it's the highest mountain in the world. Is
>there some other reason? Motivation is important. The "because it's there"
>argument doesn't cut it.

Whilst I agree with your sentiments about Mt Everest and the conquering attitude non-climbers (and I suppose, some climbers) have towards it, I must digress and bring to your attention the achievements of some of the young folk of the climbing world.

I don't think a 13y/o's ascent should be regarded as not difficult because they are only 13. Excuse my old links and examples, as I am out of the loop these days, and am sure there are other youngsters out there achieving stuff like Chris Sharma, Katie Brown and the examples below have. I would be stoked to tick even a small percentage of their warm-up lists! Not really having a go, more sharing the impressive (and sometimes, surely, not healthily so) things young climbers can achieve. Cheers.

Charlotte Durif - 5.13's aged 11, 5.13d in one day on her 14th B'day
http://www.climbing.com/news/hotflashes/durifstar/
http://www.8a.nu/?IncPage=http%3A//www.8a.nu/user/Profile.aspx%3FUserId%3D5571

David Lama - 8a aged 10, 8b aged 11, 8b+ aged 12, 8c aged 13, and 8c aged 14. At 15 the youngest person to compete in a world cup
http://www.redbull.com/cs/Satellite/en_INT/Profile/David-Lama-021242756027311
http://www.climbandmore.com/climbing,2,0,1,interviews.html

Cicada Jenerik - 8 y/o girl sends V7
http://www.camp4.com/rock/index.php?newsid=310

Scott Cory - Youngest American to onsight 5.13a aged 10. Half dome in a day aged 13. The Nose in a day aged 11
http://www.e-boreal.com/Us/Html/portada/portada/noticia32.htm