CMST small assginments

Lee 2

Joo Wang Lee

Hemmen

November 20, 2021

Argumentative Essay

How Young is Too Young to Climb Mt. Everest?

Although many people may think that it is impossible for children to climb Mt. Everest, it is not up to us to decide that. It depends on whether they have the guts and determination to survive and finish the climb. Whether they can prepare their body, mind, and emotion to climb Mt. Everest. Despite that, I believe kids who are unable to perform the basic needs needed to climb is too young to climb Mt. Everest. To be specific, babies. Babies are beings that will have difficulties surviving without the help of others. They depend on others to feed them, burp them, and change their diapers. Therefore, it is advised that they do not climb Mt. Everest at such age. It can impact their health negatively, and if climbed without caution, it may lead to their death.

The biggest factor needed to climb a mountain is the ability to walk. I do not have any experience in mountain climbing, but to feel the accomplishment once you finish climbing Mt. Everest, I think walking with your own two feet will be the best. However, as a baby, they learn to walk at the age between 8 and 18 months (WebMD). Unable to walk before then, it would be nearly impossible for them to be able to climb Mt. Everest. Even if they can walk at the age of 8 to 18 months, they will not have any muscles to endure the climb. Mountain climbers work their abdominals, glutes, legs triceps, shoulders and more when preparing to climb a mountain (Haley). Intense workout is needed to gain the necessary muscles, but babies are unable to exercise as needed. One might argue that you don’t have to climb Mt. Everest alone and can receive help from others. In this case, there could be an adult that will carry the baby on their back and climb Mt. Everest. However, the babies being unable to walk is not only obstacle.

Another factor is the height of Mt. Everest It is tallest mountain in the world peaking at 29,032 ft. Adults that climb Mt. Everest have a hard time breathing properly in high altitude due to high air pressure and low oxygen. They need to train themselves to be able to adjust in such environments. According to an article, “It's safe for children to go to high altitudes. However, they're more likely to get high-altitude illness because their bodies have a hard time adjusting to the low oxygen level,” (FamilyDoctor). High-altitude illness usually “happens when you travel to a high elevation (8,000 feet or higher),” (babycenter). Getting the high-altitude illness during the climb will be a huge hindrance. If not taken care of properly, it impedes the climber from finishing climb. Therefore, since babies are prone to the illness, it will make it harder for them to be able to climb Mt. Everest. Just by reaching 8,000 feet, the risk of being ill increases for babies. When you are that young, being ill can affect your health.

Babies climbing Mt. Everest may sound foolish and immoral. Making a baby climb a mountain where even adults die is just cruel. However, when I thought about it, with the right teams and the right preparation, I think it may be possible. A medical team to fight the high-altitude illness, bunch of people to carry the baby throughout the climb, food suppliers, the baby’s family, a team that takes care of the family, etc. There is numerous preparation I can name needed for a baby to climb Mt. Everest, but it will be too long. Nevertheless, a baby climbing Mt. Everest is too young. They will not even remember they did such a thing when they grow up. Only the helpers that climbed with the baby will suffer. Therefore, one should climb Mt. Everest when they are able to think for themselves and believe they will not be a nuisance to others. I believe that when one can make decisions for themselves, they are qualified to climb Mt. Everest, If they are unable to make rational decisions, they are too young to climb Mt. Everest.

Brennan, Dan. “Baby Milestones: When Your Baby Starts to Walk.” WebMD, WebMD, 12 Mar. 2021, https://www.webmd.com/baby/when-does-a-baby-start-walking#1.

Haley, Caroline. “What Muscles Does the Mountain Climber Exercise Work?” LIVESTRONG.COM, Leaf Group, https://www.livestrong.com/article/532142-what-muscles-do-the-exercise-mountain-climbers-work/.

Karen Miles|Medically reviewed byDawn Rosenberg, M.D. “Altitude Sickness.” BabyCenter, https://www.babycenter.com/health/medicine-and-first-aid/altitude-sickness_11223.

Staff, Familydoctor.org Editorial. “High-Altitude Illness.” Familydoctor.org, 6 Oct. 2020, https://familydoctor.org/condition/high-altitude-illness/.