Climbing geographer nears Mount Everest summit
Friday, May 25, 2012
Since beginning his ascent of Mount Everest in April, geographer and professor Jon Kedrowski has celebrated a birthday, used a constant stream of basketball metaphors to fuel his journey and witnessed tragedy that still gives him demons.
Now nearing the end of May, he hopes to reach the summit by Friday evening, Eastern time.
CNN
Crowd attempts Everest summit after deadly weekend
Friday, May 25, 2012
KATMANDU, Nepal - Scores of climbers were headed for the summit of Mount Everest on Friday to begin what is expected to be another busy weekend on the top of the world.
MSNBC Videos
Everest climber skips summit to rescue friend
Friday, May 25, 2012
An Israeli who rescued a distressed climber on Mount Everest instead of pushing onward to the summit said Friday that the man he helped, an American of Turkish origin, is like a brother to him.
Fox News
Deaths on Everest throw the spotlight on the business of climbing
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Today, summiting the world's highest peak has become little more than an item on many baby boomers' bucket lists. There are plenty of businesses ready to help them, from the government of Nepal on down. You pays your money and you takes your choice.
National Post
Mt Everest death toll rises to four in Nepal
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Ha Wenyi's body was found by climbers in an area near the top of the 8,848-metre peak where Nepali-born Canadian Shriya Shah, 32, German Eberhard Schaaf, 61, and South Korean Song Won-bin, 44, also died.
BBC
Fort Lee Imposes Fines on Texting While Walking
Monday, May 14, 2012
Pedestrians in Fort Lee, New Jersey will have to stop to text, following the passage of a new law that imposes $85 fines on walkers caught texting.
Huffington Post
Deaths push Fort Lee to take jaywalking seriously
Friday, May 11, 2012
With three pedestrians killed so far this year and 74 pedestrian crashes last year, you'd think Fort Lee's top cop wouldn't have to publicly explain why members of his force are ticketing scores of jaywalkers. But Chief Tom Ripoli was in front of the cameras Thursday to give reporters the numbers.
NorthJersey.com
West Nile Virus
In 1999, 62 cases of severe West Nile encephalitis were reported to have occurred in humans in the New York area. Of these, 7 resulted in death. Since that time cases of the disease have been found in animals up and down the eastern United States, with cases currently being reported as far south as Georgia and North Florida.
Although the vast majority of infections have been identified in birds, through September 2000 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has received reports of West Nile virus infection in horses, cats, bats, chipmunks, skunks, squirrels, domestic rabbits, and raccoons.
CDC scientists believe the virus has probably been in the eastern United States since the early summer of 1999, possibly longer. Although not confirmed, there is evidence that an elderly man was infected with West Nile virus in October 1998 in Marshall Virginia. He suffered some memory loss due to his illness.
Background
West Nile virus was first isolated from a febrile adult woman in the West Nile District of Uganda in 1937. The ecology was characterized in Egypt in the 1950s. The virus became recognized as a cause of severe human meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the spinal cord and brain) in elderly patients during an outbreak in Israel in 1957. Equine disease was first noted in Egypt and France in the early 1960s. The appearance of West Nile virus in North America in 1999, with encephalitis reported in humans and horses, may be an important milestone in the evolving history of this virus.
West Nile virus has been commonly found in humans and birds and other vertebrates in Africa, Eastern Europe, West Asia, and the Middle East, but until 1999 had not previously been documented in the Western Hemisphere. West Nile virus has emerged in recent years in temperate regions of Europe and North America, presenting a threat to public, and animal health. The most serious manifestation of West Nile virus infection is fatal encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) in humans, horses, as well as certain domestic and wild birds.
Transmission of West Nile Virus
Mosquito-borne diseases affect millions of people worldwide each year. In the United States, some species of mosquitoes can transmit diseases such as encephalitis, dengue fever, and malaria to humans, and a variety of diseases to wildlife and domestic animals.
Infected mosquitoes are the primary source for West Nile virus. Although ticks infected with West Nile virus have been found in Asia and Africa, their role in the transmission and maintenance of the virus is uncertain. However, there is no information to suggest that ticks played any role in the cases identified in the United States.
The West Nile Virus is spread over distances by migrating birds, and locally by mosquitos. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds, which may circulate the virus in their blood for a few days. Infected mosquitoes can then transmit West Nile virus to humans and animals while biting to take blood. The virus is located in the mosquito's salivary glands. During blood feeding, the virus may be injected into the animal or human, where it may multiply, possibly causing illness.
One of the species of mosquitos found to carry West Nile virus is the Culex species which survive through the winter, or "overwinter," in the adult stage.
Following transmission by an infected mosquito, West Nile virus multiplies in the person's blood system and crosses the blood-brain barrier to reach the brain. The virus interferes with normal central nervous system functioning and causes inflammation of brain tissue.
Even in areas where mosquitoes do carry the virus, very few mosquitoes-much less than 1%-are infected. When humans are infected with West Nile virus, less than 1% of those will develop severe illness. The chances you will become severely ill from any one mosquito bite are extremely small. Among those with severe illness due to West Nile virus, case-fatality rates range from 3% to 15% and are highest among the elderly (persons older than 50 years).
There is no documented evidence of person-to-person or animal-to-person transmission of West Nile virus. Normal veterinary infection control precautions should be followed when caring for an animal suspected to have this or any viral infection.
Prevention of West Nile Virus
Stay indoors (or inside mosquito-netting) at dawn, dusk, and in the early evening. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever you are outdoors. Spray clothing with repellents containing permethrin or DEET since mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing. Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. An effective repellent will contain 35% DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). DEET in high concentrations (greater than 35%) provides no additional protection. Repellents may irritate the eyes and mouth, so avoid applying repellent to the hands of children. To protect head and face, cover with a hat and headnet.
Whenever you use an insecticide or insect repellent, be sure to read and follow the manufacturer's DIRECTIONS FOR USE, as printed on the product.
Currently there is no West Nile Virus vaccine available for humans. Many scientists are working on this issue, and there is hope that a vaccine will become available in the next few years.
Symptoms
Most infections are mild, and cause flu-like symptoms, but for those with a weak immune system, the disease can be devastating.
Symptoms include fever, headache, and body aches, occasionally with skin rash and swollen lymph glands. More severe infection may be marked by headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis, and, rarely, death.
The incubation period in humans (time from infection to onset of disease symptoms) for West Nile encephalitis is usually 3 to 15 days.
If you or your family members develop symptoms such as high fever, confusion, muscle weakness, and/or severe headaches, you should see your doctor immediately.
Is Mount Everest like a morgue?
May 21, 2012
What is being called a deadly traffic jam
of climbers ascending Mount Everest might be a factor in the death of four people descending the world's tallest mountain.
CNN
Everest Deaths Linked to Crowding on the Mountain
May 21, 2012
The world's highest mountain is said to be in a particularly dangerous condition this year. And one respected expedition organizer canceled his group's entire season earlier this month. But Everest is still more crowded than ever.
TheWorld.org
Mount Everest Suffers From Too Many Climbers and Deteriorating Conditions
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
By now, everyone has seen the startling photos and video of the conga line of climbers ascending Everest earlier this month. If you've ever wondered what a human traffic jam looks like at the roof of the world, there it is, in all its goose-down glory. The images, from just a few days ago, show as many as 300 mountaineers moving between Camp 3, on the Lhotse Face, to Camp 4, on the South Col. This isn't summit day, when those climbers converged again even higher up, but it's nearly as bad. Many of them successfully reached the top, but at least four didn't make it back to the bottom.
The Daily Beast
Walking for Fitness and Fun
Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you (New Testament: John 12:35)
Introduction
Whether on a lazy sunny summer afternoon, a brisk autumn day, a soggy spring morning, or a cold winter evening during the light of the full moon. There's nothing quite like a walk on a mountain trail with friends, or a stroll along the beach with loved ones. To hear the sounds of nature around you and view the scenery of mountain vistas. To feel moving air on your skin and through your hair.
Walking is America's most popular form of exercise, and with good reason. With access to Local, State, and National Parks, National Forests, local walking trails, side walks and shopping malls - most Americas have easy access to this activity.
Benefits
Walking is a practical exercise requiring a minimal amount of gear that delivers a variety of health benefits. Because walking is a low-impact exercise, it causes less stress to your joints and body than activities such as running. Because it is a weight-bearing exercise, it helps prevent the onset of osteoporosis.
Walking at a moderate pace for 30 to 60 minutes a day (3 days a week) will build muscle, burn fat and increase your metabolism. It can also reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Walking can help you:
- get and stay physically fit
- give you room to think
- increase spirituality
- reduce stress
- reduce the risk of cognitive decline
- solidify comradeship
Gear
One of the great things about walking, is that you don't need much gear. If you are not going far from the comforts of civilization, and the weather is nice, you will probably be OK with just a good fitting pair of shoes, socks, and some comfortable clothing. But when you get off the beaten path, or are going to be out for an extended time - some basic gear planing is in order.
Clothing
Clothing should be comfortable, and allow for freedom of movement. Wear a moisture wicking layer near the skin that will help move sweat away from your body. A breathable, windproof and/or water resistant outer layer, can be worn depending on the weather to help protect against the elements.Insect Repellent
When on the move, I normally will not use any insect repellent. But mosquitoes, deer ticks, black flies, gnats, and no-see-ums, can be such a problem form time to time, that you may need bug repellent when these bugs are in season.Safety Gear
If you're walking at night, be sure to wear a reflective vest, a safety light, or at the very least, light-colored clothing so you're visible to traffic, cyclists, runners and other walkers.Sunglasses
To ensure maximum protection for your eyes choose only sunglasses that effectively block 100% of UV light.Sunscreen
Dermatologists recommend using sunblock with a minimum of SPF 15. Consider using an SPF 30 or higher, if you spend much time outside, or are sensitive to sun.Walking Shoes
Make sure they fit well, are comfortable, and provide adequate support and cushioning for your feet.
Safety
For the sake of safety, it is a good idea not to walk alone. Use caution around strangers. Let your family and / or trusted friends know where you are going and when you will be back.
Technique
Stand up straight and look ahead, not down at your feet. Walk naturally with a comfortable stride, and without an exaggerated motion. Use your arms as a counterbalance to the motion of your legs.