[palmer]

I realize your hypothetical could be true. My question is, did the climbers call down about him on their way up as they first stated on Australian TV, or is the version of the story posted in this thread correct? They can't both be correct.

[Mr. Brightside]

Agreed. There is a "difference in recollection."

[Texas2step]

My question is, did the climbers call down about him on their way up as they first stated on Australian TV, or is the version of the story posted in this thread correct?

From reading both accounts, I wonder if the following is what happened:

The team is climbing up, and someone sees "Frost-bit Brit" and they radio down for instructions. The expi leader assumes that they have seen "Mr. Green Boots" based on the description of the location and tells them to continue.

On the way down it is determined that the man they saw is not "Mr. Green Boots" but "Frost-bit Brit" and they do a more thorough evaluation to determine if a rescue is possible.

After noting the weather conditions, condition of the team, and the condition of "Frost-bit Brit" it is determined that they could not effect rescue.

That's the only thing I can think of which can explain the two "different" stories.