reflections on 8000m mountaineering

[cottonmountaineering]

ive had some poor luck in the himalayas but finally got a summit this year on gasherbrum 2 without o2 or sherpa/HAP support. id like to share a few thoughts for those who plan to go in the future.

using oxygen is pretty much cheating, given enough oxygen almost anyone could summit

8000ers are a team effort, whether it be putting in boot pack, fixing ropes, carrying loads

the commercialization of mountaineering is a blessing and a curse, i feel like a reasonable fair means of approaching 8000ers is as an independent team, not using oxygen, not hiring sherpa or HAP

having fun, being persistent and keeping a positive attitude are huge attributes towards success! physical fitness is not a big of factor as being prepared mentally

cheers

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[Kiefer]

CONGRATULATIONS, Cotton!!!!
I like your ethos on 8.000m peaks.

[ltlFish99]

congratulations on a most wonderful accomplishment.

[Skimo95]

Congratulations!!

[Gulf_Coast_Hiker]

Wow, congrats!! Are you going to do a trip report??

[bdloftin77]

Congratulations!!

[Mtnman200]

Congratulations on an awesome accomplishment!

[climbingcue]

Awesome work, congrats....

[astrobassman]

Congrats Joe! Great to see you got G2 after the trip fell apart in 2021.
Climbing an 8000m peak in this style is not easy. I finally got to know that first hand last year when I got my a** handed to me on Manaslu.
I was talking to a friend the other day, going thru each of our friend's 8000m summit success rates. Two friends with the most success are 1 summit out of three 8000m expeditions each. I also have two friends that are 0 for 3. One friend is 0 for 2, and I'm 0 for 1. Add it all up and the odds of making an 8000m summit for your average Colorado climber in pure style is not good. But, there's more than just the summit I suppose .. the process .. going on an expedition to the Himalayas with old friends .. style and how you do it matters.
Well done on finally getting an 8000m summit without compromising the process.
Whats next for you?

[SchralpTheGnar]

When climbing in the Himalayas I think it’s ok if people choose to hiring Sherpas or HAP and it’s also ok if people choose not to, same with hiring someone to help with the cooking, but everyone should fly their own plane if flying there because you have to draw the line somewhere.

[seano]

Congrats! It's great to see ordinary people doing 8000m peaks in good style, demonstrating that you don't need a bottle of O2 and a train of servants to climb them.

[cottonmountaineering]

Congrats! It's great to see ordinary people doing 8000m peaks in good style, demonstrating that you don't need a bottle of O2 and a train of servants to climb them.

thanks!