Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Why Climbers Die On Mount Everest

Posted by timothy on from the failure-to-be-born-sherpas dept.

Science Daily reports that researchers have conducted the first detailed analysis of deaths during expeditions to the summit of Mt. Everest. They found that most deaths occur during descents from the summit in the so-called "death zone" above 8,000 meters, and also identified factors that appear to be associated with a greater risk of death, particularly symptoms of high-altitude cerebral edema. The big surprise that the data indicate those deaths aren't primarily from avalanches or falling ice, as had long been believed.

2 of 417 comments (clear)

  1. I know why... by duffbeer703 · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Climbers die on Mt. Everest because they are frickin idiots. There is no good reason to go up there, and they should leave the bodies up there to serve as warnings to other idiots.

    --
    Conformity is the jailer of freedom and enemy of growth. -JFK
  2. The answer is simple by DJRumpy · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Stupidity...

    Why anyone would participate in such a dangerous 'sport' begs for natural selection to step in and perform it's function. Nuff said.