Everest Still Unridden

The first descent of that daunting hunk of rock known as Everest now seems more unattainable than ever. Stephen Koch, who was midway through his quest to climb and snowboard the "Seven Summits" (the highest peak on each continent) and had his sights set on Mt. Everest, has been waylaid indefinitely after being caught alone in an avalanche in Wyoming.

Even Frederick Lenz–author of best-selling books Surfing The Himalayas and Snowboarding To Nirvana who made "spiritual" descents down several Himalayan peaks–is out of the picture, found sleeping with the fishes in

Conscience Bay near his multi-million-dollar compound on Long Island.

Who knows when Mt. Everest will be ridden. I took a closer look at the behemoth not long ago at a special-engagement showing of MacGillivray/Freeman Films’ I MAX release, Everest.

In all its six-story-high almighty glory, this film makes it easy to see why no one’s sauntered up to the summit, strapped in, and pointed it. Just getting to base camp on Everest is a major undertaking–then climbing to the top and riding down? Forget about it.

For those unfamiliar with IMAX, it’s the largest film format available for moving pictures, the on-screen results of which are astounding; staring wide-eyed at the massive curved screen designed to encompass even your peripheral vision, you get the distinct feeling of "being there," and being there on

Mt. Everest was amazing.

There’s no snowboarding in Everest, but the film provides a clear perspective on how deadly serious the prospect of summiting–let alone riding–Mt. Everest is. And that’s something any humble snowboarder can appreciate.–E.M.