What To Do When We Stink

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“We are all human. Let’s start to prove it.” – unknown

There’s a famous set of mountain climbing twins from Seattle – Jim and Lou Whittaker. They are 94 years old now but back in the day, Jim founded the gear and outdoor company, REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.), and Lou founded RMI (Rainier Mountaineering Inc.), the guiding company that for many years was the only way you could do a guided climb on Mt. Rainier.

Jim and Lou both had sons who are also climbers. There’s a notable story about one of the sons – maybe Peter Whittaker. Could be Win Whittaker. Regardless, one of the sons was climbing on Everest and was with his climbing buddies up above the Khumbu icefall when he had to go to the bathroom.

Several minutes later, he still wasn’t back and his buddies started to worry and wonder. Finally he reappeared but looking a little soiled and worse for the wear. He was wearing the down suit most climbers wear above base camp – one piece, puffy and hooded – and when he pooped, it had, unbeknownst to him, landed in the hood. When he zipped himself up and flipped the hood back up. Well, ewww!

I was thinking of this story because my post on The Heart of the Matter today, Marketing, Mountaineering, and Making Meaning, is about telling stories – and making meaning of the stories we tell.

And the meaning of this one? Well, there are a lot of ways this can go so I’ll just say this. When you are trying to do something hard, it’s best to surround yourself with people with whom you can laugh at your s…

(featured photo from Pexels)

45 thoughts on “What To Do When We Stink”

  2. I like how you found a way to use the expression literally and figuratively 😁 Do you know if he was laughing, too? 🙃

    And I’m curious: what is the mountaineering best practice when this happens? Or was this a first?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Good questions, EW! I believe he was laughing. You’ve got to have a sense of humor if you are going to spend time in the mountains like those sons have.

      And the best practice. I really don’t know. There are some washing facilities down at Everest Base camp. If the hood was detachable, it would be easier. If he brought a second suit, maybe he just bagged the whole thing? And I don’t know this for a fact but I believe this was one of the training runs higher up on the mountain – not his bid for the summit. Climbers spend about 3 months on the mountain carrying loads higher and higher so hopefully he wasn’t pressed for time and could do something about the suit before summit photos were taken. 🙂

      You ask such great questions!!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Glad to hear that: how long are those training runs before one can… disrobe, shower, and wash the suit? I guess a small comfort is that there are no flies up there?

        You bring up such fascinating topics!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. You are exactly right – no flies up there. They are usually up there for 1-3 days. Here’s hoping they had plugged sinuses! 🙂

        And you always make them more interesting, EW!

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      2. Oooh, I have the shiver of recognition. Yuck! If we add in the kid and pet stories, the list of the gross things we’ve endured gets long, doesn’t it? Just gotta laugh as you said so well!

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  6. In true confession time- I have never been able to pee in the woods without peeing all over whatever is gathered at my ankles (jeans probably) as well as my shoes. I sort of know how the Whittaker son felt. Given that I think pooping in the woods is and will remain off my list of to-do items. Also, the Whittakers are 94yo!!!! Wow!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I found out they are both alive and 94 went I was writing this yesterday. Isn’t that fun/amazing?

      And yes, the angle is tough, isn’t it? My thighs just burn at the thought of the position. They make urinary redirectors for women (basically a trough with a hose attached) and that can help but has its own challenges…

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Before I venture off into TMI I will just say that 63 year old/3 kid bladders (even after Kegels) do not always blend well with forest adventures… devices may make it worse for me at least 😉

        Liked by 1 person

  10. I think that climber embodied the term shithead literally! 😆

    I think you and Victoria are both on brand with your new blog. The stories are compelling and are really about the heart of the matter.

    And what’s wonderful is there’s a common thread that connects each story and perspective and voice. Well done to you both!

    Liked by 2 people

  12. And you thought that you can’t write humor? Haha! Furthermore, I am delighted to see that the blog has leveled us all by devolving into a brief but hilarious commentary on poop, pee, and vomit eww. I’ve gotta say—it doesn’t get much better than this. Truly, the poor guy really turned himself into a shithead, but fortunately it was not a terminal condition. Thanks for a great chuckle. Wynne. I laughed myself silly all the way through.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Now I’m laughing again too Julia! Fortunately being a shithead wasn’t a terminal condition…that’s good humor, my friend!! Yes, there’s nothing like poop, pee and vomit to remind us that we are all human!! Thanks for the great chuckle!! ❤ ❤ ❤

      Liked by 1 person

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