[Mr. Brightside]

some combination of 40 human beings couldn't have gotten this guy down

The 40 people were in different parties of 6-10 climbers each.

Climbers probably passed him over a 12-24 hour time span. It is not unusual for climbers to be stopped along the way. Many lose their battle with altitude sickness and try resting before deciding to go ahead or go back.

[Darkwolf377]

The 40 people were in different parties of 6-10 climbers each.

I know that; that's why I wrote "some combination of 40 human beings".

Stop with the excuses, already, for god's sake. Being a mountain climber doesn't give one the right to just keep walking. And you're spinning like mad, I've read the articles. I don't need anymore slanted views of this story.

Good night.

[geopyg]

"Climbers probably passed him over a 12-24 hour time span."

I was wondering too how long it would take 40 climbers in various slow-moving groups to pass by this "nearly dieing" man.

It would be one thing to be alone and realize its the end and drift off to sleep. It would seem to be another when each approaching shadow offered new hope. Struggling against the desire to shut your eyes for eternity in the hope that perhaps the NEXT shadow would be your deliverance.

At least some of them shared some oxygen to prolong his agony (and false hope).