DougPaul said:
I wouldn't use the word murder here--there are no reports that anyone actually harmed Sharp. They only failed to render assistance or tried and were unable to help.
Doug
Yes...I totally agree. I only used the "murderer" word because it was used by someone on the boards to describe Inglis and I was very upset by this.
Here are some neat words from some hard core climbers who have "been there, done that".
Friedl Mutschelechnet on 1982 climb of Kangchenjunga with Messner:
"All I can do is wait, helplessly, watching him (Messner) struggle. It is a question of survival. It would come very hard if to save yourself you were forced to leave a partner behind in such situations, but that is the reality. Each has the right, perhaps even the duty, to do just that." Messner finally made it to down to camp2. "Only when the Sherpas in Camp 2 greet us with hot tea, do we know that we have survived."
Kurt Diemberger speaking on his summit attempts on K2 with Julie Tullis and four others in a group of seven.Five of the seven lost their lives including Tullis. "I consider it of the utmost importance that anyone who climbs to such heights should be constantly aware that
above 8000 meters no rescue is possible , and that you should not spend a single unnecessary day up there."
Another statement he makes in regards to himself and Messer:
"I know that we both owe our survival largely to the strict adherence to rules we hold to be right, whatever other might think; and that can extend well into the region of instinct.The mountain will tolerate me or it will not.If I can build a relationship with it, then I may bind my life to it in the sense that I am able to climb to its summit."
"The many expeditions you find these days on 8000meter routes can certainly lead to greater international co-operation, on the one hand, but equally can increase the overall danger."
We certainly have seen this evolve. I really look forward to the VFTT debates when the present day Everest survivors move on to K2 and Nanga.
I really do have the utmost respect for most individuals who do this kind of climbing and reflecting on their enthusiasm, courage, and determination has certainly helped me to get through difficult periods in my life both on and off the mountains.
GO BRUTUS!!! As an aside did you folks know that the great musher Susan Butcher took a sled dog team up Denali not once but twice???