These climbers were in what is called the "Death Zone."
Every minute they stayed there, they were dying. Is is nearly an impossible task to save yourself, let alone to save what may end up being a frozen corpse by the time you get him to the bottom of the mountain.
I read the article, but can you explain "Death Zone" to me? Wouldn't there be breathing issues on most of the climb and that they'd have to have oxygen most of the time? Even at points where the atmosphere is thinnest, wouldn't oxygen take care of that?
And, I agree with previous posters - I've never heard an interview by one of these climbers that didn't make me want to smack them stupid.
Some people ought to stick to stamp collecting!
um....did you miss the part about them going UP the mountain?.....if their hiking party was in dire straits, then why proceed UP the mountain?....