On May 8th of 1978, Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler proved that it was possible for a human to reach the top of the highest mountain in the world (Mount Everest, 8.848 m) without supplemental oxygen. Until then, the task was considered impossible by a large majority of the scientific community embodided by the most renowned figures of medicine and altitude experts. Messner had always argued that it was possible to ascend alpine-style to the highest Himalayas mountains merely using light equipment in fast and continuous progression. Bearing ecological concerns, and believing in a sense of honesty towards nature, Messner was a staunch critic of the expedition-style which implied carrying tonnes of supplies and equipment, last generation technology, altitude loaders and establishing several camps along the route. Challenging the most skeptical minds, he revolutionised the mountaineering world, climbing the fourteen highest mountains of the earth without the aid of extra oxygen. In August 1980, he took his convictions beyond the limit and set foot on the highest summit of the Earth once more, this time after a dramatic solo-climbing under the monsoon season. The first time Reinhold believes he had spotted a Yeti was in June 1986 in Tibet, somewhere between Qamdo and Nachu, while heading south near the Mekong River. This time, he was in Tibet aiming to retrace the centenarian Sherpa migration routes from Denge, through Qamdo, Alando, Largo, Lhasa and Tingri towards the lands of Khumbu in Nepal. After those events, he became a convinced believer of the existence of the Yeti, a legendary creature, a giant biped which inhabits the most inhospitable territories of the Himalayan woods. Despite countless sighting reports and photographs of giant footprints, the science comunity refuses to accept the existence of such a creature. It has even been proven in the laboratory that some of the relics kept in monasteries, such as scalps, furs and mummified cubs supposedly comming from Yetis, actually belonged to animals like goats and bears. Over many years, Messner has pursued his beliefs and he still keeps up his quest for the Yeti. Yet again, the scientific community doubts his word. __________________________________________________________ more info: http://www.lneg.pt/MuseuGeologico/
