Wow, that's fewer than I would have guessed.
The numbers are far worse, in percentage terms, on other peaks like K2 and Annapurna. At one point 1 in 3 people who climbed Annapurna did not come back.
Also far fewer people to get in the way...Not only are K2 and Annapurna more technically difficult, there are far, far fewer other people there able to assist. Sounds like the top echelon expeditions help the lesser ones out on Everest fairly often.
Not only are K2 and Annapurna more technically difficult, there are far, far fewer other people there able to assist. Sounds like the top echelon expeditions help the lesser ones out on Everest fairly often.
Tim
I have not heard about this case before, so I tried looking it up. I presume this is the case of David Sharp mentioned here: https://www.markhorrell.com/blog/2012/5-everest-horror-stories/ If so, then according to the article: "Forty climbers passed him that day, and although many stopped to help him, he was too far gone and all of them eventually abandoned him."And yet climbers routinely walk by climbers suffocating without even bothering to help. The English chap who died next to Green Boots comes to mind. Something like 46 people walked by him intent on their own glory.
There is also a genetic component to altitude tolerance. The folks in Nepal at hihg altitude have evolved to deal with it.
My guess is that most of these folks make heavy use of O2 for sleeping at and moving above the South Col where the deaths occur.
Sadly, the total focus on the summit is misplaced. You are only half way when you touch the top of any mountain. The critical half is yet to be done.
cb
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