Ambition, money, and notoriety will erode our sense of the sacred.

But only to a point. Because what is sacred remains so, even if we choose not to acknowledge it. And where we choose to disrespect the sacred, we can expect destruction.

Known historically by local names that were almost all some variation of Holy Mother, Everest is being taken as harlot by the pompous and wealthy who want only to pay their fee for the privilege of mounting her. People are showing up without adequate training or conditioning. They are showing up in response to ads taken out by unscrupulous companies promising the adventure of a lifetime for the right price. They are showing up in anticipation of the hero’s welcome they expect after they summit and return home.

Instead, many find only death.

We have lost respect for the mountain. Below is linked a harrowing article on the tragedy of commercializing what is sacred.

You can read it here.