Egad! How did the USMA newsletter get it wrong twice? Mt Everest (8850 m) is not only not in India, but it is not (entirely) in China/Tibet either. It is on the border between Nepal and China and Tibet, and certainly does not "belong" to China to the exclusion of Nepal. Nepal's economy is greatly dependent on tourism to the area of the world's highest peak, and the Nepalese would be offended if they suddenly learned that they no longer "own" any part of the mountain. Tourist traffic from the Tibet side is far less than it is from the southern side of the mountain. Most climbers access from the Nepal side. Moreover, China's claim to Tibet, while correct in terms of hard politics, is not legitimate in terms of culture. China annexed Tibet by force and intentionally is displacing traditional Tibetan culture. It's a sad situation. HARRY WYETH
