Why do people always want to conquer Mount Everest?

Every spring, besides the success stories, there is no shortage of tragedies of climbers when conquering Mount Everest, including a recent snowslide that has left 13 people living around the dead area when climbing

However, hundreds of people from many different countries are still gathering at the campsite at the foot of the mountain, and many of them have planned to conquer the highest peak in the world in the next few weeks.

So why is climbing Mount Everest so attractive, despite both high costs and stalking risks?

The answer for each climber is different, but studies suggest that those who love adventure often perceive themselves to be different from those who are not adventurous. For those who are attracted by Everest, this peak is their lifelong dream.

'I am completely attracted by this mountain. It represents the greatest peak that people want to conquer. It is a magical mountain with the ability to appeal to people, like a scorching fascination with lights, ' said Alan Arnette, a mountaineer and blogger specializing in Everest.

The idea of ​​conquering Mount Everest appeared more than 150 years ago when British topographic map makers claimed it was the highest mountain in the world.

Mount Everest.(Photo: livescience)

Everest quickly became the 'Third Pole' when adventurers raced to find the way to become the first to set foot on the summit.

Maurice Isserman, a historian at Hamilton University (Clinton, New York) talked about Everest as follows: 'Since being awarded the title of the highest mountain, Everest has become an enchanting symbol. Many other mountains are more interesting, more beautiful and more challenging to experience. But conquering the new Everest is a trophy - the greatest achievement ".

When asked by the New York Times about the reason for conquering Everest, the English climber George Mallory, who died during the third expedition at Everest in 1924, had an answer that became famous: ' Because it's there ".

Andreas Wilke, a psychologist at Clarkson University (Potsdam, New York), said that not everyone wants to conquer Everest, and those who want to do it often because of the urge to seek strong feelings. , part is specified by the gene . Studies of decision making also show that some people tend to accept or refuse to take more risks than others.

However, the level of risk tolerance is relatively more complex than what psychologists have predicted. In studies of people who like extreme sports like bungee jumping (tying themselves up and jumping down) or scuba diving, Wilke sees people who spend a lot of money buying insurance. car. This means that those who accept risk at some point in their lives do not mean they will have to live a risky life.

However, when asked to evaluate their behaviors, research participants often do not give what they do is too risky as others think, because they have the skills to do it or the benefits The benefits gained overshadowed the fear. The balance between risk and reward also varies among individuals.

From an evolutionary perspective, Wilke believes that accepting risk can be an advantage, especially for men because it demonstrates strength and bravery with the opposite sex. According to this theory, conquering Everest successfully will raise one's reputation.

For those who have conquered Everest successfully, this event is more meaningful than expressing yourself very much. Climb the mountain over 8,000m, stand on top of the world and then return home safely is an unrivaled experience.

'It keeps you focused on what's important to you. There are thousands of reasons to give up but there is only one reason you have to go on. You must focus on the most important and special reason for you. It forces you to look deeper into yourself and find out if you have the physical and mental rigidity to keep going when you want to stop. And when he returned, he realized that he had passed the challenge successfully, " Arnette said.