I’m not sure why this has captured my attention so. The whole thing seems like a scene from a Vonnegut novel. I picture sequestered journalists struggling to breath as they file non-stories, Chinese soldiers taking themselves way too seriously in protecting an empty symbol, and a Chinese climbing team conscripted into service by a crazy regime bent on ridiculous PR efforts. One thing is for certain here – a true climbing ethic is nowhere to be found on Everest at the moment.

From AP:

The Olympic torch moved to within striking distance of the summit of
Mount Everest on Wednesday, with the flame likely to reach the top of
the world’s tallest mountain in the next several days.

A
spokesman for the climbing team said a base camp at 25,560 feet had
been rebuilt after heavy snowfall last weekend destroyed several base
camps and delayed the assault on the 29,035-foot peak.

From Reuters:

If the word around camp is anything to go by, the final assault on
the summit of Everest will begin in the early hours of Thursday
morning. Journalists and accompanying officials have spent much of the
day taking souvenir photos and snapping up post cards at the “world’s
highest post office”.

The rumours would appear to be based on nothing more than collective will (or hysteria, perhaps).