Why Climbers Die On Mount Everest

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.

Comments

Easier to walk up than down

[EmbeddedJanitor]

It is very hard to walk downhill and keep your balance etc. It is far easier to walk uphill. With reduced cerebral function it is far more likely for someone to loose there balance and take a bad fall going down than up.

Oooh! I know!

[jollyreaper]

They die because it's cold and the air's thin.