Should a 13-year-old be allowed to climb Everest?
One boy's quest to become the youngest to scale the world's tallest mountain has climbing experts concerned — and parent blogs outraged
In Tibet, Californian teen Jordan Romero is making his way to a base camp at the foot of Mount Everest, hoping to become the youngest person to climb the world's tallest mountain. At 13, Romero has already scaled the tallest peaks on five continents, including Africa's Mt. Kilimanjaro and Alaska's Mt. McKinley. Though he'll be attempting the climb with his father and father's girlfriend — both active outdoorsmen — critics say it's wrong to let a child attempt a climb that has killed many more experienced mountaineers. Is climbing Everest at the age of 13 "inspirational," or insane? (Watch a CNN interview with Jordan Romero)
Shame on Romero's parents: Jordan Romero's father, a paramedic specializing in high-altitude physiology, should know his child doesn't belong on Mount Everest, says David Hillebrandt, medical advisor to the British Mountaineering Council, as quoted in Britain's Guardian. Nobody knows how such altitude could damage a child. This is "verging on child abuse."
"Should a teenager be climbing Mount Everest?"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Despite the risks, Romero should be admired: While it's true that most kids Romero's age aren't prepared to deal with Everest's challenges, "this kid is an animal," says Mark Ouellette in Gather.com. He has already climbed several of the world's most dangerous peaks. These days, most couch-potato kids get their adrenaline rushes from online video games. "You have to applaud his drive and enthusiasm."
Seven Summits: California 13-year-old boy plans to climb Mount Everest"
Romero is part of a dangerous trend: Our culture has a "dangerous" obsession with watching younger and younger kids attempt daredevil stunts, says Kraig Becker at Gadling. This "dubious 'youngest' record" isn't beneficial for any of us, and could be "potentially disastrous" for a "young, developing teen."
"13-year-old eyes Everest, seven Summits"
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Passenger: 'pleasingly off-kilter' ITV crime drama
The Week Recommends There's 'plenty to be feared' in this British murder mystery set in a quiet northern town
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: March 27, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sudoku hard: March 27, 2024
The Week's daily hard sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published