On Mark Inglis and the Team
Mark Inglis was a hero a couple of days back. He was getting praise from every one.
Now, he is facing severe criticism from a lot of people for leaving David Sharp to die. Edmund Hillary has been severe and said that he would never do such a thing. Some bloggers speaking on the issue - People blogging on the talking point - Vent, Saakshi Juneja, Chris Brazendale and Aparna Ray.
Inglis has tried to avoid the blame saying it was expedition leader Russell Brice’s decision. While it is true that Inglis should not get all the blame for the incident (there were 40 people out there and an Inglis should not be made target), he cannot avoid the spotlight because of his achievement. So Inglis gets picked on most. Also, he loses out the most as the sheen over his accomplishment is lost. Years of hardwork get washed in two days thus.
The difficult questions which should be asked - would any other present day climber react differently in a similar situation and go against the team? Would such a decision make sense at all as it would mean being in a life threatening situation for the climber who does decide to isolate from the team? So should individual team members be blamed for not risking their lives and possibly commiting suicide in standing alone? Who should actually be blamed - the team captain or each member?
No sporting glory is more valuable than saving a human life. Risking lives happens while pursuing sporting glory but that is obviously different. From the way I look at it - the mission should have been aborted, no matter how much effort had gone into it and try to save a life if even the bleakest chance for it existed.
Tags: David Sharp, Edmund Hillary, Everest, Mark Inglis, Russell Brice.
May 25th, 2006 at 1:14 am
The reality of high altitude tells us that by the time Mark Inglis reached the climber, it was too late. Saving a person at high altitude is often close to suicide.
Rob Hall is one who comes to mind … he stayed with his client after the client overtaxed himself on his ‘last chance to make the summit’ push … and the guide who was safely down and went back up for them, also died. They’re in thin air and dying by the second up there.
Perhaps the first team that walked by the dying climber could be accountable … perhaps, I have no idea of the circumstances and can’t imagining commenting on something I have no experience of.
People die trying to save people at high altitude … it’s the brutal truth that mountaineers go up the mountain knowing … they may as well be on the moon in terms of feasible rescue scenarios.
And although Edmund is a noble man, he didn’t have to deal with the traffic and range of abilities you find on Everest these days …
No anger here, just disappointment that people on the ground are commenting on something so outside everyday experience and comprehension.
May 25th, 2006 at 2:58 am
Just a little more, which perhaps gives a little background to the story … written by a well-known high altitude climber who fell: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2006/05/24/ftevere24.xml
I’m not really a grouch but climbing is something special to me so I’m sharing a little ;)
May 25th, 2006 at 3:27 am
Di, you aren’t being a grouch! Thank you for your insights. I am with you here. People should not give final verdicts on the actual situation and if they really have to, they should after knowing ALL the facts - which means waiting for at least a few days so that nothing is missed out on.
The piece gives more perspective into climbing. The writer makes one key point which is crucial - could the team do any thing to save Sharp?
I maintain what I said earlier - if the team felt there was even the bleakest chance to save Sharp, they should have aborted the mission.
May 25th, 2006 at 7:35 am
Pratyush,
While I agree with much of your post I think it is unfair to say Inglis has tried to avoid blame. In fact, I think Inglis should be thanked for at least speaking on what happened because most of the time deaths on Everest are shrouded in secrecy and more often than not, details of what actually happened never reach the public domain.
May 26th, 2006 at 6:51 am
Rob, glad you agree with most of the post.
I am not blaming Inglis for saying it is the team’s responsibility. He felt he was being targeted and thus tried to explain. However, by explaining, he did try to pass on the blame. I meant it in that regard.
Cheers.
May 28th, 2006 at 3:04 am
[…] Action isn’t stopping at the Everest it seems. After the Mark Inglis controversy a few days back, comes the news of Australian climber Lincoln Hall reviving from death. [Via Laura] Read of one of the most remarkable rescues. […]
December 28th, 2006 at 2:06 am
They reportedly have footage of David Sharp saying his name and that he was with Asian Trek. How come his own team isn’t getting any blame for leaving him out there to die? How many other people passed over him that day and did nothing at all? It seems that Brice is taking the fall for all of this because he is high profile and because his crew has video, thanks to the Discovery Channel series.
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