Most Controversial DEATH In Mountaineering History | David Sharp Everest Tragedy

On May 15, 2006, thirty-four-year-old Englishman, David Sharp, froze to death in Green Boots Cave on the Northeast Ridge of Mt. Everest. But at his lowest moment….over 40 climbers would walk past him….and nobody would stop to help. His death ignited a controversy that continues to this day, and became one of the most notorious mountaineering stories ever covered…The lessons that were learned that day…will be told for generations of mountain climbers…

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Transcript
Follow along using the transcript.

[fibretowne]

I've watched a number of versions of the David Sharp story and I keep coming back to his choice to not have a radio. The more I ponder that action the more I feel that he was willing to assume the risk to die on Everest versus the glory he would have if he succeeded. He would be the guy that summitted, returned, without "O's", without a radio, without Sherpa or any other support...he wanted to be That Guy, or die, it seems. He knew enough to understand the pros and cons of his choices.

[suestaley]

Actually people did try to help. Several sherpas tried to get him moving after giving him oxygen and water. They couldn't get him to move beyond the cave entrance so there was no choice but to leave him. You cannot carry another person down from the death zone. You have to walk, no matter how frozen you are.

[paulgabriels]

You can't bring a man who clearly doesn't wanna live down a big mountain without putting your own life at risk.

[josi]

No one could save David Sharp. If a climber sits down in the Death Zone, that person is doomed. All those who have been rescued after sitting/lying down were able to walk or at least manage to be upright if they had some ability to move/be short-roped. With no team, Sharp was on a fool's errand -- all for personal glory and bragging rights..

[atkcsc]

When I started watching these mountaineering videos, Everest struck me as a magical, special place. But since, it has lost its appeal to me; the sheer volume of those trying to climb it on a good day is so terrifying; you cannot keep your own pace, and it's difficult to turn back, when the route is blocked. So damn dangerous, and not for the right reasons. I don't think many people go out to the mountains to queue.

[shermanpeh]

Saw David Sharp’s memorial at Everest Memorial Site during my hike to EBC. It has a quote on the memorial headstone that has stuck with me since then: it’s better to live one day as a tiger than a thousand years as a sheep.

[blackhawkorg]

No one is to blame but David. He refused to turn back when he still could. Goal fixation.
I'm not willing to lose body parts just get to the top of some trashed out mountain let alone my life.
When he was found he was already doomed. Fortunately no one else died trying to save him.

[Van-Marvin]

These videos have made me addicted. I hope one day I can go close enough of Everest that I'm safe and can see its beauty. Then fvck off back home

[thomasgreen]

Why should somebody put themselves in danger to try to save someone In that situation?
It's just as dangerous to give up your own supplies Or try to get him down, Now instead of one dead body there's a couple.

[Nunayabizeva]

Thanks for going through his climbing history as clearly as you did. It shows he’d been very involved with advanced high altitude climbing. His story is often portrayed as if he just was a poor English guy that had couldn’t afford a team and didn’t know what he was doing. He absolutely knew what he was doing. He was apart of high altitude teams before and saw climbers take risks and die. People climb Everest with lots of supports and teams and Sherpas and radios for a reason. He didn’t stumble on his decision but made many choices to solo, even his parents knew that.

[corymac]

Another amazing video. Can't help but think his poor decisions were financially based, which I can relate to, but it seems like something you gotta be fully committed to, mentally, physically and financially. Loving the videos about ppl climbing these huge mountains the past 2 months, something I never thought I'd ever be interested it.
Thanks for the awesome video ✌️.

[Parlimant_Strifey]

David's story is another example of a climber being gaslit to believe they are special by the community, then dooming themselves thanks to believing said gaslighting. He had already lost digits, yet is still being made out to be some amazing climber...if they had never done that crazy praise he would likely have quit early and saved himself.

[drewdurant]

The dude was eff’d man. He was in such bad shape others would have been in danger too trying to save a dead man. If you’ve never done any mountaineering then your opinion is irrelevant

[jeremeymiller]

Many people tried to help him they tried getting him in the sun, rubbing his extremities and encouraging him to get up when you are up that high your options are limited I don’t think people realize how difficult just walking at that altitude is bringing a body down could very well be suicide even with plenty of oxygen . Even the most fit climbers in the world are breathing 3-5 times between each step. Obviously any loss of life is tragic especially when it’s during some meaningless extra circular activity or hobby. But to blame anyone else but David for his own death is pure ignorance. He made a lot of foolish choices that when compounded lead to his demise. Being an experienced climber he knew full well what the risks of solo climbing without oxygen and no radio and no Sherpa were and he did it anyways with zero backup or emergency plan. expecting someone else to risk there life because of your stupid mistakes is unacceptable and I bet if you asked David if he would want someone risking their lives to try and save him he would’ve said no. He made his bed unfortunately and attacking people for not doing more particularly a double amputee military veteran who was singled out is unbelievable. David didn’t die because climbers couldn’t get him down the mountain he died because of his own stubbornness, frugality and ego he bit off more than he could chew and he paid the ultimate price for overestimating his own ability plain and simple.

[aceykrew]

Seemed like a summit fever ego even at sea level. You cant save someone who doesn't want to be in any sense.

[wyomingadventures]

No saving Dave because he made many poor choices. If he couldn't walk on his own in that area nobody was going to get him down from there. Hillary was totally wrong blaming Mark Ingalls for not helping Dave. Mark is a double amputee. Russell Brice's group did try helping Dave. And Russell himself talked to David's family and returned his belongings. Russell's team also moved David's body from view the next season. David's good friend Jamie said it best. He said David was fully aware of the risks of climbing. And he made some poor decisions.

[cameltrophy]

David had no intention of coming down. David went into Green Boot's cave to end.

[robertpresha]

I am 64 the death zone for me would be 4000 feet.😅

[goddammitalana]

Choosing to bivvt at the 1st step instead of turning around was one of many fatal choices

[cupatelj]

00:13 FYI on the provided image that is not a north-east ridge.