Well said. It is easy for someone sitting on their back porch in the 75 degree sunshine sipping a margarita to say the climber should have been rescued. I seriously doubt the experienced Everest guides would have just left him there if there was any chance to get him down safely.
"I seriously doubt the experienced Everest guides would have just left him there if there was any chance to get him down safely."
Sample questions that a guide must ask:
Does he have any chance of living through the descent?
How long will it take to lower him down Hilary Steps 3, 2, and 1?
Will a rescue deplete our oxygen and enrgy before we get him down?
Will I be able to pay attention to my clients on the descent?
Are there enough experienced climbers here to assist in downhauling him?
Will we complete the descent before nightfall? Is the weather holding up?
Etc.