There's a lot I have never understood about fools and money.

Just within the past few weeks, a local woman finally made it to the top of Everest... on the third try. So that's about $120,000 plus equipment? To climb a rock?

"Because it's there" isn't good enough. I doubt that the "challenge" or all the other reasons usually offered have much to do with it. If the status value were removed, how many people would be climbing Everest?

Is it any different from the sorry people who feel the need to buy expensive cars, uncommon breeds of dogs or cats, or exotic pets or $15,000 watches, or a big hulking AWD SUV that doesn't have a scratch on it? Isn't it just another pathetic way to say, "Look at me! Look what I did! Look how wonderful I am!"?

I've heard that the trail to the top of Everest is littered with dead bodies. When I hear of yet another person dying trying to "conquer" Everest, I just shake my head and wonder at the pathetic people who have such low self-esteem that they are driven to do something that is so.... inconsequential.

$120,000 to feed your ego and impress your friends.

Pathetic.

Sue