Koreans


Based on what was shown in the documentary, among the many natural disasters and bad luck, it appeared the Korean team acted the most unprofessional. The team leader in particular was the worst, he didn't check/fix the ropes early on at base camp 4 which was his responsibility. Their team leader sat in his tent smoking while doing nothing when he was supposed to initiate the ascent. They repeatedly sat down on their descent throwing other people off their rhythm and the team leader sent 2 sherpas off to their rescue, arguing that they were paid, for which they died. Then Ger also died trying to save them.

On top of it they also seemed to have a strange attitude:

"There was a Korean guy hanging upside down," Mr Van Rooijen said. "There was a second Korean guy who held him with a rope, but he was also in shock and then a third guy was there also, and they were trying to survive. But I also had to survive."
Mr Van Rooijen said he passed them on his descent. They declined his offer of help.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/2503050/K2-cli mbers-froze-to-death-hanging-upside-down-on-ropes.html

Comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable

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Agreed. The Korean leader acted dismissively towards the sherpas, porters and other climbers. The Koreans, as Tom Cruise would say, were dangerously "glib", full of ugly arrogance and lazy too. I have to wonder why they kept sitting down. Why weren't they in better condition? And how do you not check the rope??? But in the end did it really matter that the Koreans didn't bring enough rope since the ice broke the ropes anyway? Why was the Korean leader down at base camp instead of climbing with the others? Did he participate in the rescue with the Sherpas? If no then he's scum. Those Sherpas should have followed the American's example. K2 is NOT a sight seeing tour. One of the Sherpas killed as a result had a baby born a couple hours before he died. Who is compensating that family? Where are the Koreans now?

I was struck at how very serious and humble the American guy was at the group meeting before the climb. You could see concern all over him. He wanted to bring more rope but was shut down immediately by the Koreans. In hindsight, I wished the American and Dutch guy (Van Rooijen)could have been more pushy. But taking leadership saps precious energy and makes other dependant on you so I see why they didn't. Plus climbing seems more of a sport for loners.

I also don't understand why Ger's (Irish guy) and Hughes' (French guy) families keep complaining about not getting the full story. Seriously? Your family member voluntarily participated in an admittedly ultrahazardous exercise. Do they think someone was pushed off the mountain? If not, then surely every little detail of the deaths or finding a body just doesn't matter. Good for Ger for helping others -but that's probably why he didn't make it. The Dutch man and the American (and Marco too) knew their personal limits and didn't push it by getting involved in everybody else's drama. It is that tough attitude and ability to turn into a machine during the descent that allowed them to survive. They don't owe anyone an explanation. If you can't take care of yourself, don't go to K2.

I still just want to slap the Korean leader hard in the face.

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The documentary said that Marco had continued supporting the sherpa who'd helped him in his rescue attempt's family - maybe that was the one with the baby?

I fully understand why Ger's family felt they wanted that closure (it probably a way to still feel close to their loved one), but I agree. At some point, both Marco and Pemba (and the other survivors) needed to say "I don't really remember clearly what happened" or "Ger died a hero" and just smile and end it instead of going on and on with diagrams and continued interviews. I mean, Ger WAS a hero - he and Pemba took the Serbian (I think) man whose tent blew away into their own tiny tent. It would be kinder for everyone involved to just let it go.

And for the record, that Basque solo climber was a total bad ass. Also, completely insane for going by himself. But he made it up and back to camp THREE, alone, in one day?!

They're coming to get you, Barbara!

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I can't get past the Korean leader smoking. Don't you need to be in peak physical condition? Smoking? Really????

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Some of world best climbers smoking

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