This quote from the Chinese climber makes the story even more interesting. "I had once been trapped at where Sharp died and a dozen climbers, including David Sharp, walked past me."
Which begs the question - if the trek is so dangerous, why are people willing to do it more than once? Seriously, risking your life once to say you "did it" is one thing. Going up and down the thing like a trip to a convenience store is another. Do they have some sort of death wish? Are they like the gays who purposely try to get AIDS so they don't feel 'left out' of the experience?
Yes, I'm sure some of them get paid large sums to help others reach the peak but when even the experienced ones can die, why should any sane person take the risk?
I think someone had the right idea - rename it "Mt. Darwin".
You guessed it - it is entirely for the "experience" and nothing more. Let me prove my point. Say this announcement was made: "Mount Everest will now be closed until a decent rescue system is in place to keep this from happening again." I'd bet a 100 bucks that there are those climbing or contemplating climbing Everest who would say they would no longer do that if this scenario occurred because it "no longer would be the same thrill or as natural." People with money and the desire to push the envelope up against death - yeah, a dangerous and selfish crowd who are not getting a lot of sympathy for their callousness towards fellow mankind.