How Technology Revamped a Himalayan Expedition

Snapchatting trekker, Cory Richards finally summits Mount Everest, on Thursday.

Award winning photojournalist, Cory Richards made it to the Mount Everest Summit without any supplemental oxygen on Sunday – a credit that only 200 people have to their name. His climber companion, world class mountaineer, Adrian Ballinger although, had to consciously take the brave decision to turn back at 8,840 meters.

What made them stand out against several other climbers was how they employed technology to document data, photos and videos of the entire junket.

And although the entire ordeal happened far far away on a frozen mountain with fatally low temperatures, imagine being able to keep a track of their activities to such an extent, that you also have access to an online chart of their heartbeats as their bodies acclimatise to the high altitude.

One of their expedition partners, Strava monitored their route, pace, heartbeat, distance – you just name it!

Such detailed real time data made available instantly to a population who has been closely keeping a watch, is perhaps what has changed in how we look at explorations now.

As Ballinger headed back to the base camp without having made to the summit, the several people from around the world who have been following his updates gave him words of encouragement.

But that’s not the first of their show-off worthy gadgets. Cory and Adrian have been Snapchatting details of their trek starting from the base camp.

But, of course, the burning question is, how exactly does one have the access to the technology from the Himalayas? With more technology!

In an interview with Mashable, Richards informed that they carried equipments weighing at least six to seven kilograms, complete with plenty of batteries, two solar-powered satellite internet systems which can be connected to WiFi.

Through short videos and photos, they have chronicled their entire journey, be it savouring a cracker or HairByEverest – a special tag only to archive the bizzare hairdos during their trek.

Back at their base camp, the tech savvy trekkers shared their success while indulging in the sweet comforts of life on their Snapchat handle EverestNoFilter through which they have been sharing photos daily.

Perhaps the only irony lies in the fact that despite all the gadgets Cory couldn’t click a photo from the summit, as his phone crashed right when he reached the summit due to the cold weather.

I think it was kind of a classic reminder of where we were and how much power that place had.

Adrian Ballinger told Mashable