Enormous tragedy but also a chance for new future for Nepal.
I propose rebuild the country in modern, safe stye. Merging old artifacts and architecture with modern elements.
Since tourism represent more then 22% GDP that investment in modern architecture should be self funding.
If I were deciding administrating power in Nepal I would order two futuristic but real projects:
1. Comfortable cable lift to the tip of the Mt Everest
2. Luxory hotels at the base camp and on the mountain ridge.
Project could be 100% self funding. All international companies will compete for the rights to build the most advanced lift to highest place on the planet. Switzerland will win for sure.
Chain of hotels like Marriot , Hyatt, Radisson, Virgin etc will spent all the money available on luxury , pressurized glass hotels . with steaming hot pools inside.
As astonishing the project may seems to be, it could rise the tourism from few thousands hard core backpackers traveling on the budget to millions wealthy mums and dads , bringing money and employment to local communities.
Rich Switzerland could access Mont-Blanc without the need for human mules already.
but then how would the people climbing it be able to go and brag about how they "conquered" a mountain with the help of low pay labor?
Here is my first draft of proposed luxury hotel on the ridge and cable lifts.
If not now that how it will look Himalayan in XXII century.
How do you suggest placing those poles into rock and/or ice, on that slope where you can't even walk let alone get a drill rig?
All Nepal people need is to talk to people like Sir Richard Branson's founder of Virgin Airlines and even space tourism Virgin Galactic
to design and create network of hotels and airlines bringing people from all over the world to spent the money and time at the most unique place on the planet.
Emirates or other Arabs companions may also have funds and experience to deliver the most luxury hotels.
One may object that there is not enough oxygen to breathe on the 8800 meters above the sea level.
That is true and that is why hotels are pressured to 4000-5000 meters air pressure.
But that could be made in very efficient way. While turbine compressing air is propelled by released compress air from inside.
That energy needed for constant pressure account only for circulation and efficiency losses; 5% instead or whole 100% energy needs to supply fresh air to hotels.
Similar but portable breather apparatus could be used for those walking outside the building _ cancelling the need of carrying oxygen bottles.
Oh God. You should post on the kiting forum Macro you fly so many.
It's an appalling idea. You're talking about Everest FFS. It's like, SACRED.
That'd be like turning the Vatican into a tourist theme park ..................... umm, oh wait.
I wonder, if the notion were floated and polled, whether the environmentalists or the disnylandists would win.
Maybe the Nepalese could put such a scheme together and hold the world to ransom. That'd be the test.
Macro, you've just introduced buzzing, humming, throbbing noise pollution into what is possibly the quietest most serene place on the planet.
I don't want to see any plans made, unless they include a lake at the peak in which we can race electric catamarans, piloted by robot accountants.
Interesting points counter and pro... but isn't the climbing season a few weeks because of ferocious winds around the summit and it's approaches? therefore your tourist season would be pretty short to pay for the infrastructure.... An enclave for the rich and famous? cheaper to fly to the moon, or surf the Maldives.
you do realise how steep and unstable it is Macro?
You can't build on it, helicopter assisted or not.
"Oh, I went to Everest for the weekend"
'What did you see?'
"I saw snow, and snow, and some snow. It was also windy and cold"
'Why? I went to Maui instead where it was windy and warm'
I am sure it is meant to be humorous ?
The areas mentioned is now a garbage tip. Climbers brought in tonnes of non-perishable stuff to make their life as close to what they have always enjoy back home, but can't be stuffed to bring them back. I believe the hill sides are now a public toilet. Behind rocks and within crevices, there are yellow and brown substances lurking!
Mt Everest is now a place to "conquer". Attempts by the youngest boy, or girl, or disables, or the oldest, are become common place. They all want to make a name for themselves or may be a for a genuine personal challenge for some. The trouble is that during the rush seasons, the place is so overcrowded that it resembled a busy street.
Sure, the locals get their minute share of the spoils in tourism. yes, tourism. Remember the attempt to bring some of that cricketer Phillip Hughes' gear up to the peak? What the hell has he got to do with Mt Everest? I believe we are becoming "records" mad.