The Death That Shocked the World and Raised Questions About “Mountain Ethics”
In 2006, an experienced climber froze to death near the summit of Mt. Everest. With an average of 1 in 10 climbers losing their lives on the mountain, bodies on Everest are no longer unusual.
However, the death of David Sharp tore through the entire climbing community. The British mountaineer was making his third attempt to summit Everest without supplemental oxygen, radio, Sherpa guides, or teammates. His first two attempts had been called off due to dangerous conditions, including frostbite that cost him several toes.
He successfully conquered Everest on his third attempt. On his descent, he stopped to rest in the cave of Green Boots – a famous landmark body. Disoriented and exhausted, Sharp curled up with his knees to his chest, rested his head on his knees, and never woke up.
40 People Walked Past a Dying Man
David Sharp did not die immediately. More than 40 different climbers passed him on the mountain and acknowledged that he was alive but in distress. Outrage poured in from around the world when it was revealed that Sharp was moaning and whispering for help to climbers who refused to abandon their summit attempts to assist him.
Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person to successfully climb Everest, spoke out against Mark Inglis and his team for allegedly seeing Sharp struggle but continuing their ascent.
“The whole attitude towards climbing Mount Everest has become quite horrifying” – Hillary said. “A human life is far more important than just getting to the top of a mountain.”
The Unwritten Law and the “Gray Zone”
The unwritten rule among climbers is to abandon their summit bid to help those in danger. On Everest, many believe the standard rule doesn’t apply due to the difficulties involved in climbing the world’s highest peak.
Many argued that the man himself and Everest itself had become a “gray zone” – a moral gray area. This modern psychology has pushed the climbing world into civil war, and Sharp’s death only highlighted the issue.
Inglis and his team testified that Sharp was completely frozen, unable to speak, and unconscious when they found him. Some claimed that several people tried to help him but found the descent too far, so they left him and continued their journey.
Others claimed that a motionless Sharp was mistaken for Green Boots and was overlooked. Many believe Sharp was deliberately abandoned, becoming another victim of climbers’ greed and summit fever.
The Harsh Reality
The sad truth is that it is too difficult to save yourself on Everest, let alone rescue someone else. Above 8,000 meters – the “death zone” – the human body cannot survive more than 48 hours. Every minute of delay could be the last.
David Sharp’s death raised a question with no easy answer: Is one life worth sacrificing for a dream?
Primary Sources:
The Guardian – Coverage of David Sharp’s death
Outside Magazine – Analysis of climbing ethics
Articles on Edmund Hillary and Mark Inglis
Himalayan Database – Everest fatality statistics