CLIMB IT!!!!

A Webquest

created by:

Mary Ann Montgomery and Anne Krutulis

Last Updated January 2005 by Trisha Armstrong

For centuries, man has been trying to conquer the heights.  The highest and the most challenging of these, the Himalayas, providing a daunting challenge to those bold enough to try.  Many who have tried, have failed; some have lost their lives. Many have succeeded!

A competent guide on this mountain trek needs to understand the relationships between altitude, temperature, and air pressure as they are critical to survival. Also, he/she will need to learn about and be aware of other dangers and survival skills. What motivates the climber to personally take on this dangerous challenge and what characteristics contribute to a successful climb?

THE TASK:

You have been assigned as a guide for this expedition.  You will be instructing four, experienced climbers on how to reach the summit.   By the end of this exercise, you will complete these tasks:

Produce a brochure that you will use to guide and educate your group.  Include maps, training, equipment, weather, and altitude conditions.

Questions you will need to consider:

What is the elevation of the highest mountain peak?

What is the air pressure at the bottom, middle, and top of the mountain?

How does air pressure affect the body?  What do climbers have to do to overcome the ill effects?

What types of food would you need to eat for this strenuous task?

Proper clothing is essential.  What kind of materials and fibers keep you the warmest?

How many people in the past five years have survived?  Reached the top?

What causes avalanches?  

Use the following resources to help you formulate your survival course:

http://www.everestnews.com/

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/radar/sircxsar/everest.html 

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/everest/

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/everest/

http://www.mounteverest.net/

http://www.peakware.com/encyclopedia/peaks/everest.htm

THE PROCESS:

You will be working in groups of four and each group will design its' own brochure.

Use Microsoft Publisher to make your brochure, which will include all the necessary information you as a guide will need to give all the people in your expedition.

Designate one person in your group to e-mail someone who has attempted a climb of Everest to find out what motivated that person to pursue such a dangerous mission.  Include the response in your brochure.  

Each person in the group will write a paragraph expressing his/her ideas about what personal qualities make it possible for a person to climb the highest mountain in the world.

CONCLUSION:

Within a week you should have enough information in your brochure to enable you to guide an expedition up Mount Everest.