What happened on the Mt Everest expedition in 1996?

In 1996, one of the deadliest seasons in mountaineering history unfolded on Mount Everest. Eight climbers lost their lives in two separate disasters on May 10th and 11th. The events of that year raised serious questions about the commercialization of Everest and the safety of climbers.

Here's a summary of what happened:

May 10th:

- A team led by Rob Hall, a renowned mountaineer, was making its descent from the summit when a sudden storm struck.

- Hall and several other climbers became stranded at high altitudes, facing strong winds and plummeting temperatures.

- Hall communicated his distress via radio, but rescue efforts were hampered by the severe weather.

- Hall ultimately succumbed to the elements, and other climbers faced a desperate struggle to survive.

May 11th:

- Another expedition, led by Scott Fischer, encountered difficulties on the South Col route.

- Fischer fell ill at high altitude, and his team attempted to bring him down.

- During the descent, Fischer passed away.

- A series of miscommunications and misunderstandings led to a delay in the rescue of other climbers in distress.

Aftermath:

- The tragedies of May 1996 sparked considerable debate about the risks and ethics of climbing Mount Everest.

- The overcrowding on the mountain, the commercialization of Everest expeditions, and the lack of proper safety measures came under scrutiny.

- The events were documented in several books and films, including Jon Krakauer's acclaimed book "Into Thin Air."

- Changes were implemented in the organization and management of Everest expeditions in subsequent years, including stricter regulations, better communication systems, and improved weather monitoring.

The 1996 Everest disaster remains one of the darkest chapters in mountaineering history and continues to serve as a reminder of the dangers and challenges of attempting the world's highest peak.