Then there’s a good chance you’d never summit. The unfortunate fact of high altitude mountaineering, especially on Everest, is that people are in trouble all the time.
Everything I have read about Everest rescues say that is the person needing rescue is past the point of being able to stand, they are already dead - they just don’t know it yet.
Until I read this story about a Canadian (YAY!) military member (double YAY!) that rescued a climber that was unconscious from edema. (forgot the link)
I think that I would try and help, it’s not in me to leave someone behind.
I’ve reached the point where seeing all these injured and dying climbers has made me rethink my decision to climb the mountain. I’m just turning back to the base camp and leaving Jake and my fellow climbers behind. I’ll be waiting back in Katmandu if any of you guys survive.
I am not up there to begin with.
But, that said, I can imagine few things more horrifying than being in a life-threatening situation with a bunch of other people, who, for the sake of vanity (ie, attaining the summit), would not help me if I was hurt, because “I knew the risks.”
There is a degree of risk to the rescuer beyond which it is suicidal and fruitless to attempt aid, and if that’s the case, then yes, leave a man behind.
But, if there’s a reasonable expectation of getting a hurt person to shelter safely (just as safely as continuing on, any way) if the whole party turns back and pitches in, and the group decides not to . . . scary, selfish, evil people. IMHO, of course.
according to what i’ve read recently, there are about 200 dead on everest. almost all of them are in the death zone.
the fact that roughly 150 of them are **still up there **should say all that needs to be said on the subject of rescue.
that said, i couldn’t leave anyone to die like that, even though intellectually i know it’s hopeless, i should leave them there, and go on.
i know that climber is toast. i know that once you sit down, you’re essentially the 201st dead body, but i can’t think like that.
i’m going to want to help the poor bastard, so i’m immediately a danger to myself and others at 25,000 feet or so.
that is only one of many reasons my ass will never climb everest, either.