The magic of 0700

If I leave the flat at 0700, I will be at my desk by 0815. It works very well. I get a copy of Metro, a seat on the first tube, a quick and quiet connection to the second tube line and another seat, then get off at Mainline Station with comparatively few people, pick up a latte and wait for my platform to be announced. I can get a fast train, which takes between 14 and 17 minutes, but I get a slow train which takes half an hour.

I prefer the slow train because I get to drink my coffee and play brickbat. Or read up on data protection legislation in Europe. Anyway, the shuttle bus leaves Work Station every half hour. Sometimes I can take the slow train if it means I don't just miss the shuttle bus. If I miss a bus I either have to wait for half an hour or shell out a fiver for a cab. I did that once this week when I had to be at work for 0745.

I have been leaving the flat between 0700 and 0710 since I started working at Work. When I've left it a bit later; what a difference! I did it yesterday. The tubes were both more crowded, everyone and his son needed to go to Mainline Station, the queue at the latte place was too long, and I ended up opposite some schoolgirls discussing the Geography field trip that might have been Biology too but none of them remembered. I didn't get much reading done!

I sat down to write this because I was *that* convinced the journey took nearly three quarters of an hour longer if I left the flat ten minutes later, and it turns out it's barely ten minutes shorter if I leave the flat at 0700. Weird.

Why would I have to walk all the way to the top of Mount Everest? Couldn't I just fly?

I have been pondering this question for a day or so now, and can't really see why I could not just get a mate (Dave, or Robert - or maybe even Derya?) to fly up there and plonk me on the summit?

Mr W., when asked, said he thought flying wasn't an option because it would be "too high". I think; OK, how high is it? This says its peak is at 29,000 feet above sea level. Which seems high but not that high - I remember seeing numbers in excess of 30,000 feet (on the little information monitor on the back of the seat in front, relating to feet above sea level) when flying - but that might be only on commercial 'planes.

Mind you, that link does also say the peak is "a place where helicopters do not fly". Do helicopters have a lower maximum altitude? Or is it because helicopters are more unstable or something? Or is it likely that if helicopters don't go there, then 'planes don't either? And is it a case of "do not" or "can not" fly to the peak of Everest for both 'planes and helicopters?

If I found a pilot with a lot of experience in flying in mountains and ask him to give me a lift, could he do it? I mean: Could one fly in a 'plane to the top of mount Everest or not?

A bit of a google later, and I found this which makes it seem as though flying high isn't the only potential problem. Apparently the Chinese have some air space in the area and can refuse permission. However, this chap was in a balloon not a 'plane.

Interesting

*strokes chin*

So, I've given you some starters (things that I just found out but that most of you already knew, I'm betting). You've all got huge brains and skills in different areas to me (unless you count mediaeval history. in which case you've got the same skill set). Could I get to the top of mount Everest by 'plane and if not, why not?

Answers in the "comments" box please. Prize to the most interesting reason why I can or can't fly to the peak of Everest.

[Prize might have no actual value in this world and quite possibly the next]

**UPDATE**

Mr W. pointed out he might not have been being serious when he said mount Everest was too high when I told him I referred to his opinion in a blog entry. I thought I'd better mention that because he didn't know at the time (when he said it) that he would be quoted and it's slightly possible he didn't realise I take most of what he says as absolute gospel. Personally I would have thought that by now he would be aware that I tend to take things at face value. I mean, I'm still getting over the sun not being a dead star. Anyway, enough disclaimers.