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Interestingly, as far as "climbing" goes, Everest doesn't have that much - it may be the highest mountain, but not the toughest. This is why so many non-climbers can pony up the cash to have guides literally haul them up to the top. Just not possible with harder mountains.

Everest doesn't have that much - it may be the highest mountain, but not the toughest.

I believe that for mountaineers, K-2 is considered a greater challenge than Everest.

The "Hillary Step" is apparently a mother without a fixed ladder and no joy even with that ladder. IIRC this ladder is further down the mountain, than this climber. Rescue would have required that he at least stagger to that point. All this before an attempt to lower him like a sack of potatoes while potentially holding up a stream of other climbers all well above the highest camp with the cold and winds of night closing in. From there another tortorous walk down a knifes edge ridge to the highest camp's cached oxygen and shelter. An hour on oxygen didn't do revive him.

Maybe if someone had tried earlier ... in any event, rather than criticize him, my admiration goes out to the man that stuck around for an hour at extreme risk to himself giving his oxygen in an attempt to get this man down. I am not certain what else could be asked of this would be rescuer.

While I know nothing on a personal experience about climbing mountains [probably the victim of what is still IMO a totally rational fear of shear heights or and loose or rotten rock] I do not begrudge the right of those willing to test themselves against a cruel environment the right to do so. I have a brother who would go to Everest if he the means ... rational, cool, competent, fit and at least a decent rock climber ... I would definitely advise him not to go ... but he would probably make it back barring the randomness of the mountain. However, make no mistake about it. The randomness is real and Everest can be deadly to even the most competent, experienced and fit. To believe otherwise is delusional.

One last comment: I believe that there are routes up Everest that are hardly tourist attractions -- the Southwest Ridge comes to mind.