Discovery Channel cancels ‘Everest Jump Live’ after deadly avalanche

[The Straight Story]

Discovery Channel cancels ‘Everest Jump Live’ after deadly avalanche


NEW YORK CITY (BNO NEWS) — The planned jump of a California climber from Mount Everest will not go ahead after Friday’s avalanche on the world’s highest mountain claimed the lives of 16 guides, a representative for Discovery Channel, which was to broadcast the event live, confirmed on Sunday.

“Everest Jump Live” was scheduled to be broadcast live around the world on Discovery Channel on May 11, when California resident Joby Ogwyn was to attempt the first wing suit flight off the summit of Mount Everest, which is the world’s highest mountain with a peak at 8,848 meters (29,029 feet) above sea level.

“In light of the overwhelming tragedy at Mt Everest and respect for the families of the fallen, Discovery Channel will not be going forward with Everest Jump Live. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the whole Sherpa community,” channel spokeswoman Laurie Goldberg said on Sunday. She said the event would not be rescheduled to a later date.

Discovery Channel had announced the jump on February 5, calling it “one of the greatest human feats” ever to be captured on live television. The live 2-hour broadcast was expected to show Ogwyn as he battled grueling conditions on his way to the mountain’s summit before ultimately jumping off the top of Mount Everest in a custom-made wingsuit equipped with cameras.


http://www.bnowire.com/2014/04/20/discovery-channel-cancels-everest-jump-live-after-deadly-avalanche/

[Ilsa]

1. I'm glad someone is exercising discretion.

This could have been too painful for families of the dead to consider.

[dipsydoodle]

2. Sherpas leave Everest; some expeditions nix climbs

KATMANDU, Nepal (AP) -- Dozens of Sherpa guides packed up their tents and left Mount Everest's base camp Wednesday, after the avalanche deaths of 16 of their colleagues exposed an undercurrent of resentment by Sherpas over their pay, treatment and benefits.

With the entire climbing season increasingly thrown into doubt, the government quickly announced that top tourism officials would fly to base camp Thursday to negotiate with the Sherpas and encourage them to return to work.

But while Nepal's government has been heavily criticized for not doing enough for the Sherpas in the wake of last week's disaster, the deadliest ever on the mountain, one top official blamed the walkout on "hooligans."

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While it was unclear just how many of the 400 or so Sherpas on the mountain had joined the walkout, a number of expedition companies have already canceled their climbs, and the lucrative climbing season is in disarray. Most attempts to reach Everest's summit are made in mid-May, when a brief window normally offers better weather.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_NEPAL_EVEREST_AVALANCHE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2014-04-23-03-37-01