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Ask a grown-up: why does it get colder as you go higher up a mountain? Ask a grown-up: why does it get colder as you go higher up a mountain?
(6 months later)
I'm not a scientist, so I'm afraid I don't know the scientific reasons, but I think it's because of the thinning of the atmosphere. As you go up a big mountain such as Everest, it gets colder and there is also less oxygen. Most climbers wear hoods, balaclavas and oxygen masks to help them. I haven't had serious frostbite from the cold, but I have had frost nip. I once pulled off my balaclava but it had frozen to my beard and it tore the skin off my chin. I still have a scar from that.I'm not a scientist, so I'm afraid I don't know the scientific reasons, but I think it's because of the thinning of the atmosphere. As you go up a big mountain such as Everest, it gets colder and there is also less oxygen. Most climbers wear hoods, balaclavas and oxygen masks to help them. I haven't had serious frostbite from the cold, but I have had frost nip. I once pulled off my balaclava but it had frozen to my beard and it tore the skin off my chin. I still have a scar from that.
I lost my little toe and part of my foot to gangrene. The doctors grafted new skin over it to create a new toe, but that came off in the bath. I left it on the side and my wife found it. She got a terrible shock.I lost my little toe and part of my foot to gangrene. The doctors grafted new skin over it to create a new toe, but that came off in the bath. I left it on the side and my wife found it. She got a terrible shock.
They also amputated the top half of my fingers and thumb on one hand. The only time it bothers me is if I need to put on a bow tie for a black-tie event. And I can't use chopsticks.They also amputated the top half of my fingers and thumb on one hand. The only time it bothers me is if I need to put on a bow tie for a black-tie event. And I can't use chopsticks.
• Are you 10 or younger and have a question that needs answering? Email ask.a.grownup@guardian.co.uk and we'll find an expert to look into it for you.• Are you 10 or younger and have a question that needs answering? Email ask.a.grownup@guardian.co.uk and we'll find an expert to look into it for you.
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