soundoff (93 Responses)

1. Pru
   

   I think this is horrible. The boys' parents need to read the book "Into Thin Air" if they don't already have an appreciation for how dangerous this is. Or they could simply look at the fatality statistics. Even with the best of training climbers on that mountain are at the mercy of the frequently changing and unpredictable weather. If parents let a teenager climb a tight rope between two 20 story buildings they would be arrested, but people think this should be applauded? A child this age doesn't have the capacity to appreciate the dangers and someone needs to protect him because his parents evidently aren't going to.

   May 22, 2010 at 10:00 pm | Report abuse |
   • ItTakesAllKinds
     

     Pru- Go onto the American Academy of Pediatrics web site and read the statistics on sports-related injuries (and deaths) of children. Mountain climbing is WAY down the list. At the top: Bicycling, skateboarding, snowboarding, martial arts, soccer, hockey, and that sacred cow of American sports: Football.

     If we used these standards to determine child endangerment, millions of parents would be guilty of the crime.Pru- Go onto the American Academy of Pediatrics web site and read the statistics on sports-related injuries (and deaths) of children. Mountain climbing is WAY down the list. At the top: Bicycling, skateboarding, snowboarding, martial arts, soccer, hockey, and that sacred cow of American sports: Football.

     If we used these standards to determine child endangerment, millions of parents would be guilty of the crime.

     May 22, 2010 at 11:10 pm | Report abuse |
2. kilikina
   

   A 13 year old boy climbs everest and that's what you have to say? What a misanthrope! We live in a society of haters. I felt inspired when I read this. As for his parents they did an amazing job raising a boy with immense goals beyond his 13 year old's reach yet he manages to accomplish them. Wow.

   May 22, 2010 at 10:23 pm | Report abuse |
3. Deedles
   

   "We're alike. I, too, believe that everyone should have a chance at a breathtaking piece of folly once in his life. I was twenty when they said a woman couldn't swim the Channel. You're twelve; you think your horse can win the Grand National. Your dream has come early; but remember Velvet, it will have to last you all the rest of your life."

   May 22, 2010 at 11:33 pm | Report abuse |
4. Tyrone
   

   Climbing mount everest ain't nothing. i've done it 3 different times when i was a teenager, but where was my story? All you need are strong legs and a good windpipe. Condition your self for 3 to 4 months and you can knock it out. Don't be so amazed at such a little feat, anyone can do it. including thousands of other 13 year old kids. We need to learn to expect more from ourselves and kids.

   May 23, 2010 at 3:15 am | Report abuse |
5. Spoiled?
   

   Either he was just along for the adventure with his parents or h is spoiled. How much would such an expedition cost?

   May 23, 2010 at 7:48 am | Report abuse |
6. Juiceman26
   

   Thats what happens when you legalize pot.

   May 23, 2010 at 9:05 am | Report abuse |
7. draaiorgelfan
   

   Way to go, JORDAN!!!

   May 23, 2010 at 12:35 pm | Report abuse |
8. Jonathan
   

   Get back in school- I don't think this should be legal. There are too many things that could go wrong and then who's to blaim? In Nepal it's illegal for someone this young to climb Everest, for a REASON. Children have died. This will possibly result in more attempts and loss of life by people too young.

   May 23, 2010 at 2:17 pm | Report abuse |
9. The Existing Oblvion
   

   That kid's got balls. Good for him.

   May 23, 2010 at 6:06 pm | Report abuse |
10. merc
    

    What do you think people would say if the kid died?

    May 24, 2010 at 12:58 am | Report abuse |
    • Heather
      

      What do they say when any mountaineer dies, He died chasing a dream. Should we put a limit on achieving dreams? This is why our society is so messed up... we are afraid to go for our dreams. What if all the great adventurers of the world had overprotective parents? NOTHING would have gotten accomplished! Kudos for his parents help this young man achieve his dreams... I can only imagine bigger and better things are in the future for him!

      May 24, 2010 at 8:00 am | Report abuse |
    • CS
      

      Well Heather, I see what you are saying, but it is important to note that this wasnt just a mountaineer, it was also a kid, and kids arent supposed to die at such a young age. It's important to dream big at a young age, but not necessarily take it on at such a young age. The fact of the matter is, luckily everything went well for him and he summited and came back safe, which I congratulate him for, but it would have been a whole different story if he had died.

      May 26, 2010 at 2:52 am | Report abuse |
11. Sue
    

    It is not our business whether or not the parents should have let him climb. It is my business to congratulate him on his success. Congratulations J.

    May 24, 2010 at 8:32 am | Report abuse |
12. sandy
    

    im all for dreams it's a certain point when dreams get knocked in the face by reality
    and reality states this kid coulda died and his parents should be in jail. Go chase your dream at 18

    June 11, 2010 at 9:33 pm | Report abuse |
13. Barry
    

    At least he won't be sitting in his lazy boy at age 65 saying that he wished he had done" something" or "anything" during his life.

    June 12, 2010 at 8:42 pm | Report abuse |
14. Emma
    

    This is pathetic. A thirteen-year-old climbed Mount Everest, and all some people say is, "Someone call Child Services!" It would have been child abuse if his parents had told him, "You can't go follow your dream, stay at home and play video games and be a normal kid with no ambitions!" Too many people are so afraid of dying that they don't actually live.

    June 14, 2010 at 2:10 pm | Report abuse |
15. Ram Singh
    

    One day you can see me at mount everest its my dream

    March 2, 2011 at 8:24 am | Report abuse |