BECAU$E IT'$ THERE

If you want to climb Mt. Everest next spring it will cost you $65,000.

I remember when I first found out that people couldn't just grab a pick ax and climb Mt. Everest and that they had to cough up big bucks to make the ascent. I was astounded, although I am appalled at my naivete.

The cost may explain why there are so many television shows about people climbing the peak. If the climbers can sell a videography of their ascent to a broadcaster perhaps they can recoup some of the cost.

Even if I had a spare $65 grand lying around, I would not be spending it on climbing a mountain, but that's just me. I sort of wish I had my own mountain so I could charge people to climb it. Hmm, not a bad idea. Sort of like selling the Brooklyn Bridge ...