My take on “Storm over Everest”

On Tuesday night, PBS Frontline showed “Storm over Everest” the account of the May 1996 killer storm on Everest by David Beashears. What makes that film exceptional is that it’s presented from the view point of its key surviving actors. I had previously read Jon Krakauer’s book relating that tragedy and still think that the money and ego involved with these commercial expeditions fueled their regrettable outcome. There is no question that disorganization, lack of contingency plans, let alone lack of a general game plan including some form of “code of conduct” led to the chaos apparent in both the book and the documentary. My take is that extreme altitude climbing can be very dangerous and that with little or no margin of safety, especially when the weather turns for the worst, this is no place for commercial expeditions. The companies and the guides leading them should know better and avoid putting ego-driven - but often poorly prepared - individuals at risk. Oh yes, I almost forgot; Beck Weathers stands out as the story’s real hero!