[xzins]

The text said that some FORTY others passed this man while he died.

Either traffic is tight as a shopping mall on Mt Everest or this man took a considerable amount of time to die, AND SOMEONE was counting folks who passed him by.

PRESUMABLY not ever one of those FORTY FOLKS were lacking legs.

It is OBVIOUS that all FORTY had earlier received CARDIECTOMIES!

[P-Marlowe]

The telling thing is that they all passed him on the way up. A few people have said that he was near death so they couldn't have rescued him. It is ironic that when Mr. Inglis was rescued, he was near death too, but that did not daunt his rescuers from their task. They carried him down the mountain. Mr. Inglis did not seem up to the task of returning the favor. Now he is honored with the title of being the first idiot who lost both legs climbing a stupid mountain to climb the tallest stupid mountain on earth (and apparently lose a couple of fingers in the process).

In addition to having no legs he apparently has no brain and no heart and several less fingers.

[Mr. Brightside]

Although the article says that forty others passed him, it doesn't tell us what state he was in when they walked by.

It is common for people to be stopped along the route to the summit. Some have to stop for a rest. Others have to stop and regain their orientation.

Beck Weathers recounts that when he had to stop along the way, he waived climbers past him, signaling he was alright. Did this climber do the same?

And yes, people take a considerable time to die on Everest. Plus, if he was unable to walk, the other climbers would have been forced to lower a 250 pound block of ice THREE MILES down a 30 degree icy slope on the highest mountain in the world without the proper equipment.

The trip down is dangerous enough. Keep in mind, most climbers that die on Everest, die on the way down.