[cofe]

he's finally done it ladies. holler.

[Stubbs]

Respect to the Hinksizzle- sounds like he had to push the boat out a bit more to get this one done.

[tc]

Yeah, but not too much respect. He used oxygen. "Like doing the Tour de France" on a motorbike, to quote one well-known mountaineer of my acquaintance.
Messner also argued against using supplemental oxygen, saying it results in downgrading Everest to a 20,000-foot mountain.
Messner felt the use of supplemental oxygen was unsporting because, in effect, it lowers the physiological height of a peak.
So, in fact, Hinkes has done 14 20,000 foot peaks. A good effort in itself but hardly the world class achievement that the media is currently trumpeting.  :evil:

[erm, sam]

Don't be so tight. It is a world class acheivement. More people have stood on the mooon etc.
It's not like he has  only climbed a few mountains  on oxygen. He has climbed loads.
I am not passionatly pro Hinkes and I would not like to partake in a "Hinkes God Figure or Demon" cocktalk style thread, but you have to hand it to him.
I don't think many people have as much dogged will power as Hinkes...
Saying its like the TDF on a motorbike is as daft as a beardy  mountaineer saying, well yes, it is V16, but he has been practising those 4 moves for 5 years.
Must sleep.

[saltbeef]

i don't really care. has he climbed 8b?

[Bubba]

It's easy to be critical of such achievements from the comfort of a cosy armchair back home, but until we've been out there and attempted some of these big mountains, how many of us really know what we're talking about? I know I don't, and I think the "TDF on a motorbike" statement is taking it a bit far and smacks of sour grapes.

Sure, it would have been a *greater* achievement to do it oxygen free but that doesn't mean that it's worth nothing on it's own.

It's just as easy to be snuffed out by a big mountain whether you've got a mask on your face or not.

[a dense loner]

i don't think it smacks of sour grapes. i bet he was int pub havin a chat then came out with one of the best lines i've ever heard

[Greg C]

Not that I care either way, but from my MR days...
Its not bad for a man who stuggled to remember his own shoe size    

[Johnny Brown]

Maybe not a proper motorbike then, just one of them frenchie things where you have a little electric motor you can lower onto the back wheel to help you up hills?

No doubt the full story will appear in the book? 'I only put the mask on to keep out the damn chapatti dust!'

[tc]

I am informed by an outraged supporter that he only used oxygen on Everest and Kanch. Ity appears that an apology is in order, as I wrongfully assumed that he'd used gas on all 14. Sorry. Well done. Carry on.

[cofe]

news just in. apparently he padded the landing out and tickmarked key holds.

i'll post more info when i have it.

[Paz]

Has anyone stood on the moon without the use of supplemental oxygen?

[sharkey]

He also used bottled oxygen on Lhotse, i know because i was there - not to mention fixed ropes and tents carried and erected by sherpas.
In Hinkes book anything goes if there was a gondola he would use it and still claim an ascent.