[palmer]

So what if they did? Maybe they thought he was resting for a bit. Maybe he even acknowledged that he was OK.

If that was the case, then why was the climbers original story that they knew he was dying on the way up? That's not speculation, that's recorded on TV.

[Mr. Brightside]

he even acknowledged that he was OK. ... then why was the climbers original story that they knew he was dying on the way up?

Both could be true. It would not be unusual for a climber to signal that he is ok, when those around him doubt it.