How many countries are there? Johnny Ward answers

We begin this WanderLearn Show with Johnny Ward's update. Afterward, he tries to answer the troublesome question of "How many countries exist?"Watch it on YouTube!April 25, 2023 updateOn April 25, 2023, after 6 days of acclimatization on Mt Everest's base camp, Johnny is starting the climb in earnest!Climbing to Everest's summit is like a yo-yo hike. You go up and down the mountain many times to spur your body to produce the red blood cells you need to survive above 8,000 meters.Johnny is starting the first of several yo-yo hikes. He'll go to Camp 1 and 2 and then back down to base camp to recover. On April 24, 2023, Johnny wrote:After weeks and months of nerves, I feel ready. Confident and keen to try my best. We're hoping to take on the infamous Khumbu icefall tomorrow night as we make our way to Camp 1 and Camp 2, but it’s weather dependent.6 days at our @furtenbachadventures base camp has our acclimatisation going well, and @luckydavewatson has us all feeling like we can do it. The mental game is such a big part of these huge undertakings and it feels like we are in a good place. We’ll know what’s up in the next 4 weeks, one way or another  Ric Gazarian of Counting Countries made a nuanced video to tackle this thorny topichttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=542UIhQcmC0 More infoYou can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com.If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on:FacebookTwitterYouTubeInstagramTiktokLinkedInPinterestTumblrMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month!Affiliate linksStart your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free!In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees!For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.  Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe