Apparrently, Everest isn't such a big deal in the climbing community anymore, 'I've climbed Everest' has become a devalued currency. Perhaps there is a selfish tendancy in the mindsets of people who want to prove something to themselves and their peers by making such an obvious statement about their abilities. Everest to climbers is about as fashionable as a Rolls Royce to serious motor enthusiasts. As far as I'm concerned the whole deal stinks of corporate ponse ego land. What is it all about? just so that people can punch the air in self-congratulation? Wasn't there a story recently in the news about a dying man being passed by many climbers who's personal goals were more important than the life of another human being? Is it any suprise that the hill is full of junk with the kind of rubbish climbing all over it?