Others, including Doug Hansen and Makalu Gau, reached the summit even later. In his book The Climb, Boukreev shared this explanation with Mark Bryant, the editor of Outside magazine: Also, Mr. Krakauer raised a question about my climbing without oxygen and suggested that perhaps my effectiveness was compromised by that decision. The body has not been officially Douglas Lee Hansen, 77, of Ludington, died Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, at home. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. In the past few years because of rising temperatures in the area, many older dead bodies have started to re-appear. Despite his worsening condition, Weathers found he could still move mostly under his own power. In the novel Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer, Mt. By that time, Hall, Krakauer, Harris, Beidleman, Namba, and Mountain Madness clients Martin Adams and Klev Schoening had reached the summit,[15] and the remaining four Mountain Madness clients had arrived. All of the climbers then at Camp IV were exhausted and unable to reach Namba and Weathers. There any many different causes of death, though a large amount are unknown as the climber disappeared. Doug Hanson stepped foot in Colorado Springs about 20 years ago, he got straight to work. Why? Doug is related to Douglas Allen Hansen and Ashley Mitchell as well as 3 additional people. "[3][pageneeded] Boukreev gives 18:00 as "the onset of a blizzard". [citation needed], On 9 June 1996, three days after Sherpa Ngawang Topche died in hospital from high-altitude pulmonary edema,[11] a private memorial service was held for Scott Fischer attended by the climbers and sherpas from Mountain Madness at Kiana Lodge, near Seattle Washington. He found both alive, but barely responsive and severely frostbitten, and in no condition to move. Bringing back a body requires coordination from a team with very good conditions and can cost from $40,000 to $80,000. Her body remained high on the mountain and well preserved. [citation needed] Krakauer's account notes that by this time, the weather had deteriorated into a full-scale blizzard: "Snow pellets borne on 70mph[110km/h] winds stung my face. There had been hold-ups caused by fixed lines not being placed ahead of time at certain points. An avalanche or a fall can lead to being buried under compacted snow. Sergei disappeared and wasnt seen after the Uzbek team saw him going up. However, rising temperatures have thinned the glacier, leaving fewer and smaller crevasses. Rob Hall hiking Adventure Consultants offered climbing expeditions to people from all over the world. This may be a complete anomaly for such a hazardous mountain or could be due to changing weather patterns. The Sherpas job is to navigate this and find the safest way. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Despite receiving oxygen and attempts to rewarm him, Weathers was practically abandoned again the next morning, 12 May, after a storm had collapsed his tent overnight and the other survivors once again thought he had died. Rob Hall was a guide in his own company Adventure Consultants. Troopers surmised there was a body at each of those marks. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. In fact, he's only able to afford this expedition because "the students of Sunrise Elementary School [] sold T-shirts to help fund his climb" (5. . He refused to identify all of his burial locations, and to date only 12 out of the 17 bodies have been found. Rob Hall and Scott Fischers deaths may be the most well-known after their portrayal in the movie Everest. The fatalities included Scott Fischer, Rob Hall, Andy Harris, Doug Hansen, Yasuko Namba, Tsewang Samanla, Dorje Morup, and Tsewang Paljor. Setting the rope on Everest (as an example) involves route finding with a rope to use. Dr. Hansen welcomes patients to his practice who are experiencing psoriasis, foot infection, bunions, warts, athlete . Going slightly off the path or slipping in certain sections like the Hillary step at the top can lead to long falls or fast slides. Notice of Deaths During & After 1996 Expedition, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), The 1996 Everest Disaster The Whole Story. [18] Boukreev maintained that he wanted to be ready to assist struggling clients farther down the slope, and to retrieve hot tea and extra oxygen if necessary. Hall was not breathing bottled oxygen because his regulator was too choked with ice. Notice the 6 man tents and look very closely for 2 or 3 climbers looking at the icefall from the bottom leftif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'climbernews_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_21',706,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-climbernews_com-narrow-sky-1-0'); In recent years queues have been pointed to as a major reason for deaths. As previously addressed, it is almost impossible to climb Everest completely alone on the standard route. That left 13 women. However, Doug had been on a 1995 expedition with Rob and turned around only 300 meters from the summit this time he was determined to make the top.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'climbernews_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_9',121,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-climbernews_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Rob and Doug headed up and did make it to the summit. Top 3 Results for Doug Hansen. Fischer, helped by Lopsang Jangbu Sherpa, was unable to descend below the Balcony (8,350m or 27,400ft) in the storm. This is a rope that has been anchored in place by Sherpas ahead of the paid clients attempts. A team of multi-disciplinary experts will provide Half of the climbing team from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police North Col expedition from India (Subedar Tsewang Samanla, Lance Naik Dorje Morup, and Head Constable Tsewang Paljor) died on the Northeast Ridge. 2012 saw 12 people dying on the mountain, which was the worst death rate since the 1996 Everest disaster. Do they use dead bodies as markers on Everest? Is Mount Everest The Deadliest Mountain In The World? That means Everest is five and a half miles above sea level. The reasons for Boukreev's decision to descend ahead of his clients are disputed. [24], Near midnight, the blizzard cleared sufficiently for the team to see Camp IV, some 200m (660ft) away. A typical Sherpa on Everest will arrive at base camp earlier in the season, bringing all the gear to camp. Even those that do make the fabled top have no guarantee of getting back down alive. Its basically a way of hauling your body up with a rope. A fall without a rope can be fatal. Numerous climbers were at a high altitude on Everest during the storm including the Adventure Consultants team, led by Rob Hall, and the Mountain Madness team, led by Scott Fischer. Accounting for the increased volume of climbers in 1996 compared with previous years, the fatality rates on Everest dropped considerably, meaning that 1996 was statistically a safer-than-average year.[38]. Francys Arsentiev, known to climbers as Sleeping Beauty, had the goal of being the first American woman to summit Everest without supplementary oxygen. Both were unconscious. Portion of Hansen's Flight Map (courtesy Alaska Public Defender's Office) He was actually the first person to set foot on Everest itself in the original expedition, which only happened after months of path-finding to even get to the base. . In 1999 famous mountaineer Conrad Anker found Mallorys body at around 8,230m just down from the first step, without Irvine. PBS Frontline: 'Storm Over Everest' washingtonpost.com, Climber Recounts Tragedy in 'Storm Over Everest', Ken Kamler: Medical miracle on Everest TEDMED, PBS Storm over Everest: Roundtable: The Ethics of Climbing, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1996_Mount_Everest_disaster&oldid=1138512201, Unknown; presumed as falling during descent near summit, Frank Fischbeck (53) had attempted Everest three times and reached the South Summit in 1994, Doug Hansen (46) had previously attempted Everest with Hall's team in 1995; disappeared near the South Summit while descending with Hall, Stuart Hutchison (34) youngest client on Hall's team; previous 8,000m experiences included, Lou Kasischke (53) had climbed six of the, John Taske (56) oldest climber on the Adventure Consultants team; no 8,000m experience, Dale Kruse (45) long-term personal friend of Fischer's and the first to sign up for the 1996 expedition, Tim Madsen (33) had climbed extensively in the Colorado and Canadian Rockies, but had no 8,000m experience, Klev Schoening (38) Pete's nephew and a former US national downhill ski racer; no 8,000m experience, Ngawang Topche (died a few months later from. [17], Scott Fischer did not summit until 15:45. His body was found just over a week later and is still on the mountain to this day. Eight people died during the Mount Everest disaster that unfolded May 10-11, 1996. Dec. 12, 2017 4 PM PT . This gives K2 nearly a 24% death rate. Crucially, he was the one thought to be carrying the duo's camera, so whoever discovered his body might. This leads to death by asphyxiation. He was the third of five children, being preceded by sister Neva Mae and brother Howard, and followed by sister Ruth and brother Kenneth. [27][pageneeded], 1996 is statistically curious as the fatality rates on Everest in the 1996 season were statistically lower than normal. The film takes a bit of artistic liberty in its portrayal of Harris' tragic death. The expedition leaders did not realize that the blizzard that would hit in full force on May 11 would be preceded by increasing snow throughout the afternoon and evening hours of May 10. [21] Krakauer and his supporters point out that, without bottled oxygen, Boukreev was unable to directly help his clients descend,[22] and that Boukreev said that he was going down with client Martin Adams,[22] but later descended faster and left Adams behind. Climbers can acclimatize to lower oxygen levels and there are even communities (like much of Nepal) that regularly live at over 4,000 m. At around 8,000 meters the body cannot sustain itself or acclimatize. No trace of the men has ever been found and Everest is keeping their icy tombs to herself. Gloves are commonly thrown off and sometimes climbers expose their skin to the weather. On their back, they saw Sergei going up to find her. Max once a week with no spam :). Nobody saw Green Boots between 2014-2017. Some attempts to recover bodies on Everest have been blocked by the climbers family for this reason.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'climbernews_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_7',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-climbernews_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Warning There are images of dead bodies below. Doug Hansen, Project Director at Fillmore Construction, and the Edmonton Construction Association's 2021 & 2022 Board Chair, passed away last weekend. Over the years the wind and exposure stripped the body to the skull. The name Sleeping Beauty was given after Ian Woodalls description of what she had looked like. Hansen did not respond verbally, but shook his head and pointed upward, toward the summit. As we begin slowly venturing out, it's important to remember the seven principles of Leave No Trace. His body was moved from the cave a year later as requested by the family, though was only removed from visibility. I found the door, unzipped it, and crawled outside. Boukreev made a subsequent rescue attempt but found Fischer's frozen body at around 19:00. Two people began firing from a vehicle around 4:30 p.m. in the. This is not enough oxygen to feed the body. Maurice Wilson, 1934 Maurice went out there on a solo expedition. Your email address will not be published. Sherpas may be strong, but theyre also much much more exposed to danger. He reported that Harris had reached the two men, but Hansen, who had been with him since the previous afternoon, was now "gone", and Harris was missing. Fischer was another of the main guides on the 1996 attempt that ended in disaster and was featured in the Everest film. Bach was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 22 years . How Many People Have Died Climbing Mount Everest? Many believe it is the right thing to do and sometimes relatives, guide companies, or governments have funded the work. Its expensive and its risky, and its incredibly dangerous for the Sherpas, Everest climber Alan Arnette previously told the CBC. These are mainly in the Khumbu Icefall. Its also known as Rainbow Valley for the brightly colored mountaineering suits of the bodies. These recommended mountaineering books for beginners comprise our collection of resources for those just starting out on their mountaineering adventures. Conversely, there have been 96 deaths. He performs foot consultations, foot follow-ups, toenail removal, and laser toenail treatments. 1965 - 2022. Journalist Jon Krakauer, on assignment from Outside magazine and on the Adventure Consultants team, published Into Thin Air (1997)[3] which became a bestseller. Death soon follows. From Cathys account the oxygen had run out and the haul rope was still attached but it looked like Francys had removed her gloves and pulled up her sleeves. We found 166 records for Doug Hansen in USA ranging in age from 40 years to 88 years. Hardest Climbs In The World: Highest Climbing Grades + Routes, The 19 BEST Mountain Climbing Documentaries On Netflix, Amazon Prime + Disney+, What To Wear Indoor Rock Climbing 11 Surprisingly Simple Tips + Answers. [citation needed], In the early morning of 11 May, at 04:43, Hall radioed Base Camp and said he was on the South Summit (8,749m or 28,704ft), indicating that he had survived the night. It served as a very grim reminder of what could go wrong. [20] Boukreev's supporters, who include G. Weston DeWalt, co-author of The Climb (1997), state that using bottled oxygen gives a false sense of security. Because some 33 climbers were attempting the summit on the same day, and Hall and Fischer had asked their climbers to stay within 150m (500ft) of each other, there was a bottleneck at the single fixed line at the Hillary Step. Some of their teams summited Everest during an apparent break in this developing storm only to descend into the full force of it late on 10 May. A cardiac event or heart attack caused by the incredible strain can happen even with very healthy, younger climbers. It is believed he had descended after a possible successful summit and on coming down took shelter in the cave near the body.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'climbernews_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_3',119,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-climbernews_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Some groups making their ascent didnt see him. Near the base of the Hillary Step we found the last. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Dolomites make up a vast mountain range in Northeastern Italy. But with a blizzard and 150 mile-per-hour winds swooping in shortly after, Hall and Hansen were stuck. Doug Hansen's first attempt on Mt. On the descent, he sent a Sherpa ahead to get help instead of staying with him as he knew hed hold him back. Andy Harris and Doug Hansen may lie near him, though we'll probably never know. [28], Later in the day, however, Weathers regained consciousness and walked alone under his own power to the camp, surprising everyone there, though he was still suffering severe hypothermia and frostbite. Like Weathers, Gau was evacuated by helicopter. [17] When Hall arrived at the scene, the Sherpas offered to take Hansen to the summit, but Hall sent the Sherpas down to assist the other clients, and instructed them to stash oxygen canisters on the route. There is almost no way to be able to transport the dead bodies down, and any such effort would come at great ri. Hansen, who retired as the track and cross country coach in 1984 and joined the SVSU faculty, started the programs in 1975 by telling then-president Jack Ryder and Frank "Muddy" Waters, the. Most climbing Sherpas' duties require them to ascend at least as high as Camp III or IV, but not all of them summit. Fischer's body is nearer to the main route and is often seen by climbers. Read insightful guides about mountaineering, climbing, and many outdoor activities. K2 is normally the most inconsistent mountain, so to get a weather window this big without any ice collapses is almost a miracle. He died at around 8,690 meters. Things seem to be getting better though. The team leaders' decisions to exceed the normal turnaround time of 14:00, with many summiting after 14:30. He survived and eventually recovered, but lost his nose, right hand, half his right forearm, and all the fingers on his left hand to frostbite.[29]. The problem is that climbers and guiding companies tend to climb on the same days. Before it settles and a safe route is found, its incredibly dangerous. It is well known that Rob had his pride/ego on the line because it was Doug's 2nd year. These range from Trango Towers to Masherbrum to Gasherbrums then to Broad Peak and the mighty K2. When they reach 26,247 feet (8,000 meters), theyve entered the death zone. Nearly half a day later Doug Hansen radioed to say Doug Hansen had died and Andy Harris had reached them but they had lost each other. Simply put: for every person that made a summit, there were a handful of Sherpas who did twice as much climbing and work. It looked like Sergei had taken a fall while going up and died on the mountain. In the history of my career, as I have detailed above, it has been my practice to climb without supplementary oxygen. [14], Hall radioed for help, saying that Hansen had fallen unconscious but was still alive. Facebook gives people the power to. They too abandoned their attempt and went back down. Top 3 Results for Doug Hansen in IA. Yasuko's body lay on the South Col for over a. At 17:30, Adventure Consultants guide Andy Harris, carrying supplementary oxygen and water, began climbing alone from the South Summit (8,749m or 28,704ft) toward Hansen and Hall at the top of Hillary Step. This First Look At BBC Crime Thriller 'Wolf' Is Tense AF, Everything To Know About The 'Mean Girls: The Musical' Movie, The Woman Tessa Thompson Calls Her North Star, Who Is Michael B. Jordan Dating? Director Baltasar Kormkur Writers William Nicholson (screenplay by) Simon Beaufoy (screenplay by) Stars Jason Clarke Ang Phula Sherpa Thomas M. Wright An essential mountaineering gear list is the first thing every mountaineer/climber should have before starting their journey. Falling in dangerous areas where others cant follow or it would be impossible to get back from are nearly always fatal.Crossing a huge crack in the ice of Everest with a fixed ladderif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'climbernews_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_19',705,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-climbernews_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0'); The Khumbu Icefall is one of the most dangerous parts of attempting Everest and has claimed many lives. u000b Karnicar was telephoned in Nepal and . However, he wasnt able to stand and rescue was impossible. The following fatalities occurred on Everest during the fall 1996 climbing season. First, Doug wasn't even in good shape. The bodies of Doug Hansen and Andy Harris have never been found. However, Rob Hall's body was discovered on the South Slope of the mountain, and Harris' ice axe and jacket were found nearby. He led his Mountain Madness clients to the summit despite the hold-ups and further problems faced. I was fortunate to first climb the mountain when I did on May 7, 1983. Great Opportunity with a great local company! Additionally, a total of 84 climbers reached the summit that season, giving a fatality-to-summit ratio of 1 in 7significantly less than the historical average of 1 in 4 prior to 1996. He was born June 22, 1944, in Ludington, the son of James and Alice (Semple) Hansen. Removing bodies is dangerous and costs thousands of dollars. . Moorhead, MN. That added time and exposure leads them to the same risks as everyone else. | Base Camp Magazine, REBEL IDEAS MATTHEW SYED | Blogternator, Must-read Books About Climbing Disasters | Base Camp Magazine, Why Climbing Mount Everest Cost Over $65,000 | Base Camp Magazine, Best Movies About Survival To Watch in 2020 | PreppingAdvice.com, Signs of High-Altitude Sickness, Treatment and Prevention | Base Camp Magazine, A Breakdown of Books Ive Read Over Break: The Quarantine Edition Nursing the Faith, Research Project Two: Lessons from Mount Everest: Motivation, Teams and Leadership, Everest to DenaliAsia's first father-daughter to climb seven summits thrive on journey - Thinkarete.com, Follow Base Camp Magazine on WordPress.com, Understanding Avalanche Conditions During Winter Mountaineering, Recommended Mountaineering Books for Beginners, Signs of High-Altitude Sickness, Treatment and Prevention, Denali & Forkaer 2020 Climbing Permit Refunds, How to Cope With Missing Climbing During COVID-19, Bodies of David Lama, Hansjrg Auer and Jess Roskelley Found, David Lama, Jess Roskelley and Hansjrg Auer Presumed Dead in Canadian Rockies, The Search for Tom Ballard & Daniele Nardi Officially Over. Utahn Donald Lynn Cash, 55, fell at the top of the summit according to The Himalayan Times. Today. Boukreev was killed and his body never found. From hair trends to relationship advice, our daily newsletter has everything you need to sound like a person whos on TikTok, even if you arent. By Doug Hansen . Becoming too ill or exhausted to continue means staying in one place and using up all of the available oxygen. Some have been there for years, some appear only after weather changes and snow deposits moves. Sherpas left Makalu Gau (at 8,230m or 27,000ft by Gau's account[23]) with Fischer and Lopsang when Gau, too, became unable to proceed. Though it is only a short trek from base camp, the ever-changing Icefall is very different from much of the rest of the journey. Meaning for every twenty people that have summited Everest one person has died. [27], Meanwhile, Stuart Hutchison, a client on Hall's team who had turned around before the summit on 10 May, launched a second search for Weathers and Namba. When Doug Hansen made the trek to California from Maryland in 1970, he lamented having missed the Summer of Love in San Francisco by a few years. [12], "Makalu" Gau Ming-Ho led a five-member team to Everest on 10 May 1996.[13]. The two were the last of a group who had attempted to reach high base camps for an eventual summit. Home Articles How Many Dead Bodies Are On Mount Everest? Hall survived another 30 hours. Everest, der 8 Kletterer ttete, von denen einer Doug war. The Icefall is a large section of hard, frozen ice blocks that are topped in snow. The climbing Sherpas located Fischer and Gau on 11 May, but Fischer's condition had deteriorated so much that they were only able to give palliative care before rescuing Gau. Francys was still talking though repeating things and wasnt responding or able to stand or move. Hall and Fischer received these before their planned summit attempts on 10 May. A rivalry between Hall and Fischer, who were both incentivized to get their clients to the summit, The unwillingness of the South African team's guide to help contact base camp while the other teams' radios were not sufficiently strong, Boukreev not staying with his team or coordinating with other guides. If a client sees that the summit is close and they're dead-set on getting there, they're going to laugh in your face and keep going.[33]. Liked by Doug Hansen. Some climbers specifically wanted their bodies to be left on the mountain if they died. Weather windows might last two or three days at maximum over an entire year so the first good day is jumped on. He was also one of the first significant investors in, as well as chief executive officer of, the electric car manufacturer Tesla. Hannelore and another climber Ray Genet were exhausted and wanted to stop and make a shelter. A fully custom climb will run over $115,000 and those extreme risk-takers can skimp by for well under $20,000. No trace of the men has ever been found and Everest is keeping their icy tombs to herself. The foundation ice along the journey is buried in snow and if a climber falls in without a guide rope or rescue option they sometimes cannot be retrieved. As a result, Hall was paying out-of-pocket to have Krakauer on his team.[9]. by Allie Funk. In total there have been 73 deaths on attempts to summit Annapurna I. Thats a staggering 20% death rate. In 2014, the Chinese moved Tsewang Paljor, Green Boots, off the trail. of rocky summits, this mountain range has been appealing to mountaineers and scientists for decades. My particular physiology, my years of high-altitude climbing, my discipline, the commitment I make to proper acclimatization, and the knowledge I have of my own capacities have always made me comfortable with this choice. Doug Hansen (baseball) (1928-1998), American baseball player. Liked by Doug Hansen. rainbow-tinted ones, some with tails longer than their body. Doug Hansen Character Analysis. Climbers say that he was far from the main summit route and his body has not been seen for years. Climbing at this level is incredibly strenuous on the body especially the heart and lungs. HANSEN, Douglas. Without supplemental oxygen, it is almost impossible to survive long though it can be done. Unlucky 13. The first time Capt. Doug leaves behind his wife and three daughters, sister and father. Treffen Sie Doug Hansen. K2 is probably the most technical of all mountains and requires more rock climbing than the mountaineering style with the use of holds, movement, and equipment. Unexpectedly severe oxygen deprivation sickness compromising both climbers' and guides' ability to make decisions or help others. The guy is a classic underdog. Colleen Braganza, Disaster at The Top of The World: Analysis of Into Thin Air Billals Blog, Into Thin Air An Examination of the Beginning Jaden's Blog, Review of Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer Katlins Blog, My Thoughts on Into Thin Air | Spencer's Blog, How Much Do You Know About Mount Everest? His climbing company, Adventure Consultants, was founded in 1991 by Rob and his friend Gary Ball. In the state he was in he was unable to speak or stand. If you want to learn more, we have a few great Sherpa films listed in our Best Mountaineering Documentaries article. Krakauer also acknowledges that his own presence as a journalist for an important mountaineering magazine may have added pressure to guide clients to the summit despite the growing dangers. Hansen was struggling on his way up and had been told to abandon the attempt by a Sherpa on their team. Rob Halland Scott Fischer remain where they died, Where Doug Hansenand Andy Harris are is a mystery, No trace of the men has ever been found and Everest is keeping their icy tombs to herself, Yasuko's body lay on the South Col for over a year, What happened to Green Boots body? The views of the Karakoram mountains as we trek up the Baltoro glacier are very impressive. This is an example of poetic license on the film's part; it explains why Harris' coat would be found without his body. (LogOut/ If we go by individuals it means about a 5% death rate. Others now rest in different places from where they died, due to moving glaciers, and a few have been intentionally moved. Another guide for Mountain Madness Anatoli Boukreev also came up to try and help but found Fischer dead. Fischer was about 1,000 feet below Hansen and Hall when Nepalese Sherpa guides found him and Makalu Gao, the leader of a Japanese expedition. Has anyone fallen off the summit of Everest? Answer (1 of 10): Keep in mind the dead bodies on Everest have frozen into solid nearly immobile very heavy objects on a mountain where just taking one step takes three to five breaths. He was exhausted from the ascent and becoming increasingly ill, possibly suffering from HAPE, HACE, or a combination of both. All ages are as of 1996. Can a helicopter fly to the top of Mount Everest? He leaves behind his parents, David and Jane, his two brothers, James (23) and Spencer (10) and his married sister, Nina Mackie, all of whom are quite inconsolable over the loss of Michael Robert Matthews (4th March 1977- 13th May 1999.)