Social Media Mountaineers

On May 24, 2016, Cory Richards stood alone on top of the world’s tallest mountain. He is a climber and photographer and had just reached the summit of Mount Everest. At 8,848 meters (29,029 feet) above sea level, he was as high as a plane flies.

But Richards wasn’t supposed to be alone. For most of his journey, he had partnered with professional climber Adrian Ballinger. They had teamed up to do something never before attempted: to post an entire Mount Everest climbing experience on Snapchat, an app for sharing pictures and videos.

On May 24, 2016, Cory Richards stood alone on top of the world’s tallest mountain. He is a climber and photographer and had just reached the summit of Mount Everest. At 8,848 meters (29,029 feet) above sea level, he was as high as a plane flies.

But Richards wasn’t supposed to be alone. For most of his journey, he had partnered with professional climber Adrian Ballinger. They had teamed up to do something never before attempted: to post an entire Mount Everest climbing experience on Snapchat, an app for sharing pictures and videos.

The pair was climbing without using oxygen tanks, making an already difficult climb even more challenging. Climbing Everest without extra oxygen is so grueling that fewer than 5 percent of climbers have managed it.

Less than 250 m (820 ft) from the top, Ballinger was shivering uncontrollably. He had lost all feeling in his hands, and he couldn’t hold the climbing ropes. He knew he risked death if he kept going, so he turned back.

Richards went on alone. But his phone died at the summit before he could send a Snap. For both climbers, the expedition ended in disappointment.

Last May, Richards and Ballinger returned to Everest. They were determined to finish what they started.

The pair was climbing without using oxygen tanks, making an already difficult climb even more challenging. Climbing Everest without extra oxygen is so grueling that fewer than 5 percent of climbers have managed it.

Less than 250 m (820 ft) from the top, Ballinger was shivering uncontrollably. He had lost all feeling in his hands, and he couldn’t hold the climbing ropes. He knew he risked death if he kept going, so he turned back.

Richards went on alone. But his phone died at the summit before he could send a Snap. For both climbers, the expedition ended in disappointment.

Last May, Richards and Ballinger returned to Everest. They were determined to finish what they started.

In 1953, the first two-man team reached the top of Everest.  The climbers were Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. Since then, fewer than 5,000 people have successfully climbed up the peak. Low levels of oxygen and extreme weather for much of the year make the journey nearly impossible. Many people have died attempting to reach the top. Others, like Ballinger, turn around to stay alive.

The higher climbers go up the mountain, the less oxygen there is to breathe. That’s why most climbers use oxygen masks. As elite climbers, Richards and Ballinger wanted to climb without extra oxygen. This is much more difficult.  

Ballinger experienced the physical challenges firsthand in 2016 when he ran out of energy. “I knew things weren’t right,” he says of his failed Everest climb. “There was no question I had to go down,” he says. 

In 1953, the first two-man team reached the top of Everest.  The climbers were Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. Since then, fewer than 5,000 people have successfully climbed up the peak. Low levels of oxygen and extreme weather for much of the year make the journey nearly impossible. Many people have died attempting to reach the top. Others, like Ballinger, turn around to stay alive.

The higher climbers go up the mountain, the less oxygen there is to breathe. That’s why most climbers use oxygen masks. As elite climbers, Richards and Ballinger wanted to climb without extra oxygen. This is much more difficult.  

Ballinger experienced the physical challenges firsthand in 2016 when he ran out of energy. “I knew things weren’t right,” he says of his failed Everest climb. “There was no question I had to go down,” he says. 

When Ballinger returned from Everest in 2016, he met with doctors and coaches. He learned that changing his diet could improve his energy for future climbs.

Ballinger had been eating mostly carbohydrates, which are sugars and starches. The body burns through this food quickly, which is why Ballinger got so tired on the mountain. Trainers advised Ballinger to switch to a diet rich in protein and fat. This would keep his energy stable during a long climb.

Ballinger trained hard and changed his diet. He struggled with headaches and fatigue as his body adjusted. But by spring, he was ready to join Richards for a second trip to Everest. 

When Ballinger returned from Everest in 2016, he met with doctors and coaches. He learned that changing his diet could improve his energy for future climbs.

Ballinger had been eating mostly carbohydrates, which are sugars and starches. The body burns through this food quickly, which is why Ballinger got so tired on the mountain. Trainers advised Ballinger to switch to a diet rich in protein and fat. This would keep his energy stable during a
long climb.

Ballinger trained hard and changed his diet. He struggled with headaches and fatigue as his body adjusted. But by spring, he was ready to join Richards for a second trip to Everest. 

Richards admired his friend’s determination. “I’ve never seen anybody work so hard for anything in my life,” Richards says.

Again, the pair used Snapchat to share their Everest experience. They filmed the mountain scenery, their chilly campsites, and even their extreme hat hair. A faster internet connection allowed them to Snapchat even more.

On May 27, 2017, the duo packed up for the last push to the summit. This time, Richards’s phone battery lasted long enough to record a very important video: Ballinger successfully reaching the top.

“Here we are one year later,” Richards narrates in the video. “That is Adrian Ballinger with no oxygen on the top of the world.”

Richards admired his friend’s determination. “I’ve never seen anybody work so hard for anything in my life,” Richards says.

Again, the pair used Snapchat to share their Everest experience. They filmed the mountain scenery, their chilly campsites, and even their extreme hat hair. A faster internet connection allowed them to Snapchat even more.

On May 27, 2017, the duo packed up for the last push to the summit. This time, Richards’s phone battery lasted long enough to record a very important video: Ballinger successfully reaching the top.

“Here we are one year later,” Richards narrates in the video. “That is Adrian Ballinger with no oxygen on the top of the world.”

Most climbers take 2/3 of one day to climb the same distance as Richards. Use the number line to calculate how much faster Richards is compared with a typical climber. Write an equation that shows your answer.

Most climbers take 2/3 of one day to climb the same distance as Richards. Use the number line to calculate how much faster Richards is compared with a typical climber. Write an equation that shows your answer.

Use multiplication to rewrite your answer from part B so your fractions have a denominator of 24. 

Use multiplication to rewrite your answer from part B so your fractions have a denominator of 24. 

How many hours did it take Richards to climb 550 meters? How do you know? 

How many hours did it take Richards to climb 550 meters? How do you know? 

To summit Everest, Ballinger had to switch to a diet that was high in fats and proteins. Each day, he took in 3/5 of his calories from fats and 3/10 of his calories from protein.

The following equation is incorrect: 3/5 + 3/10 = 3/7. How can you tell that 3/7 is the incorrect sum without solving the equation? 

To summit Everest, Ballinger had to switch to a diet that was high in fats and proteins. Each day, he took in 3/5 of his calories from fats and 3/10 of his calories from protein.

The following equation is incorrect: 3/5 + 3/10 = 3/7. How can you tell that 3/7 is the incorrect sum without solving the equation? 

What is 3/5 + 3/10? Prove your answer with a number line. 

What is 3/5 + 3/10? Prove your answer with a number line. 

After they reach camp 4, climbers need to travel an additional 55/100 km to the top. What is the total distance from camp 1 to the summit? 

After they reach camp 4, climbers need to travel an additional 55/100 km to the top. What is the total distance from camp 1 to the summit? 

Ballinger and Richards posted their Everest videos on YouTube. One video is 4 2/3 minutes long and another video is 2 1/4 minutes long. How long are both videos combined? 

Ballinger and Richards posted their Everest videos on YouTube. One video is 4 2/3 minutes long and another video is 2 1/4 minutes long. How long are both videos combined? 

An empty oxygen tank weighs 2 1/5 kg. A full tank weighs 3 9/10 kg. How much do 2 full tanks weigh compared with 2 empty tanks? Use multiple equations to solve. 

An empty oxygen tank weighs 2 1/5 kg. A full tank weighs 3 9/10 kg. How much do 2 full tanks weigh compared with 2 empty tanks? Use multiple equations to solve.