71-year-old Japanese man becomes oldest person to scale Mt Everest

To paraphrase Indiana Jones, "It ain't the years, it's the mileage." Good job, though, Mr. Yanagisawa. Let's see, what have we got...Miss Universe, 2nd Prize at Cannes, and now this. Those Japanese are scaling the heights of achievement this week. Better get into gear myself.

 

the design.
That is amazing. I didn't think a 71 year old would have the energy required for such a feat of endurance. Doesn't this mountain routinely kill 20 and 30 year olds, unable to stand the thin air and long stretch of constant energy required to get from a point of safety to the summit and back again in a given timeframe?
Where I live the average lifespan is 73 for men, so by rights this gentleman should be on his last legs. Instead he has chosen to tackle one of the hardest things a person can possibly do. It is very heartening and a great story.
Maybe ageing isn't so bad?

 

yeah, the effects of altitude are not well understood and are both arbitrary and capricious. You're fine one day and sick the next. No telling who is going to get sick either. I've climbed some high peaks (not anything this serious though) and then ended up with altitude sickness in Denver once. Go figure.

My hat is off to the guy, this is definately something that would probably kill me.

 

Japanese men get more wiry and tougher in their old age, women get shorter and tougher. Way to go, Yanagisawa-san!

 

It is worth pointing out the expedition he was with took their time and was extremely careful (and thusly successful). Most of the climbers you're mentioning were either inexperienced or trying to beat records like fastest climb or ascent without taking into account the true dangers of this mountain. Fujiyama is enough for me, thanks.

 

yup, i remember teaching this 86 year old dude who went every year to partake in the Hawaiian Marathon. That blew my mind