The Most Disturbing Death Story in Mount Everest History

[@KyleHatesHiking]

It's been brought to my attention that I mispronounced Sergei Arsentiev's name throughout this video. It should be pronounced "Sair-Gay" I believe. I always try and get pronunciations right, including this one for that matter, but it's clearly a weakness of mine. Hurts extra when it's somebody's name. My apologies, and thanks to everyone in the comments who corrected me.

[@RobinMartz-x9f]

Oh well. The important thing was the respectful way you told this story. Which I appreciated

[@ignorealiensorders666]

Heck dude! Not everyone can pronounce names or places I’m sure you try your best! Great work!

[@christianmartel5247]

When i was living un British Columbia ,a collegue rudely correct me on an another collegue name . I told her you have been mispronouced my name for three years without even bother to ask the correct prononciation ,can you give me the time to learn it., i am at least trying ! 😂

[@Bintexas]

It is very respectful of you to apologize, but IMO not necessary. He most certainly has no feelings about it and anyone admonishing you shouldnt either. My last name is pronounced wrong all the time. I dont care and I am alive.

[@RobinMartz-x9f]

@@Bintexas my last name is Martz. Pronounced “Martz”. I’ve been called lots of things

[@sandyfrazer3886]

I had a friend who was a mountain climber. He eventually died on Mount Blanc in an avalanche. He never married or had kids because he thought it was too irresponsible and I always agreed with him.

[@Witchlinblue]

How noble. That kind of thinking is rare these days.

[@Stealth86651]

Must have been difficult but I respect that. Some hobbies and professions basically guarantee death or injury if you stick with it for long enough. Reminds me of crime, really only way to be "successful" is get out early but few people are willing to turn their back on the money/power/etc.

[@bmc9504]

What a waste.

[@bingsby9085]

Jesus refused to marry or have kids knowing he would die too. It's very logical. But sad

[@zbelair7218]

Congrats?

[@thomashowlett8295]

"They died doing what they loved" That's just a platitude for the living. It's abundantly clear from her last words that she didn't want to die, and wasn't ready to die.

[@jackspring7709]

They also had a son - who is now an orphan because of their vanity. I had some sympathy for them before I found out they had a child.

[@automnejoy5308]

No one loves hypoxia and freezing to death. Nor do they love facing the reality that their great love and ambition has brought them to this moment of premature death. Imagine you're slowly fading there in the Death Zone, aware enough to realize that you will freeze solid in place, and your corpse will sit there as a cautionary tale for other climbers to gawk at. Imagine realizing this.

[@Dr.Ham_longsword]

@SeasonedAssist and you will also die. probably in a hospital bed, shitting yourself and being unable to even feed yourself. Death is always unpleasant. but saying shit like this is disgusting. people die doing their dreams and asperations all the time. everyone knows Everest is dangerous, they knew the risks. you just sound like someone with no goals and low empathy.

[@_nick_d]

@@automnejoy5308 I wonder what kinda pep talk if any goes on at basecamp about risk of die and having that serious conversation about leaving people if they can’t walk. A true for me but nowhere near on mt Everest scale I went to hike the Subway @ Zion, the park ranger giving me the permit has a serious 1 min talk bout turning around if you see dark clouds in the horizon. It was really hot that day like 92-94 deg so I kinda doubted it would rain. Me & my group were like 3/4 of the way to end point, then you turn around n hike same way out. We saw dark clouds n decided to quit n turn around. Had we decided to “finish” a gnarly flash flood actually hit about 1 hr after we completed the hike. Subway is a slot canyon and it’s definitely the last place you want to be during a flash flood/monsoon type storm. Forever grateful for that rangers advice 🙌🏼💯

[@freefall9832]

High altitude climbers are callous and mentally challenged.

[@michaela6147]

Mount Everest is the pinnacle of showing human stupidity. It is unbelievable to me that people will die to climb a mountain.

[@jean-baptistepoquelin5116]

A mountain is a mountain, it's people who are stupid...

[@dkin]

Climbing it without oxygen tanks is also dumb.

[@Wildflower63]

I agree. Huge ego's and vanity, IMO. Nothing wrong with having a goal, but not a death wish. It's foolish.

[@jonik.1931]

I was so shocked when I saw how much garbage ...(and bodies) are just left. Think how much good a person could do if they donated the cost of their trip, supplies, O2, etc. It's all about greed, money, unfair economics, etc. Why can't people hold this spiritual place in honor and leave it alone!!!!

[@tomhirons7475]

I agree

[@TheLastRainShadow]

Huge shout out to O'Dowd and her team truly trying their best to help Fran. Even ATTEMPTING to carry her back is truly heroic.

[@GamerCat75]

The fact that it’s normal to see dead bodies on Everest is terrifying

[@ContentMedia101]

when you think about it, it is just as normal when you see a dead squirrel next to a road,

[@GamerCat75]

@@ContentMedia101 fair point

[@iraidushka]

@@ContentMedia101Those are humans, not squirrels!!! The mountain became an abomination, defiling the land with dead humans who cannot be buried in the ground.

[@Heavyisthecrown]

Death is very normal, just as normal as being born! There are dead bodies near you. We just keep them hidden in morgues and hospitals

[@berkeleyblue4247]

@@iraidushka Same principles though. They are also not humans anymore, they are bodies. Everything that we define as human or that would seperate us from the body of a squirel is no longer in their. Their brains and by extension their mind and personality is gone. Not burrying them isn't an issue at that hight, it'sonly a concern for their relatives who will have it harder to find closure, and those who literally have to step over them to reach the summit. My compassion for the latter, however, is very limited.

[@dmbeaster]

If she cannot walk down from the First Step despite ample oxygen and treatment, she is dead. There is no way to drag someone down from there. It does not matter that she still had a flicker of life in her. She cannot survive or be saved. These two risked this outcome by climbing without oxygen.

[@sebastienbolduc5654]

Their bad decision also put the lives of other climbers at risk. Either way, that isn't cool.

[@Itried20takennames]

Yeah. We tend to applaud those who take a risk and are successful, but often don’t hear of or forget the many times risk taking does NOT end well.

[@herstoryanimated]

I also don't really understand why they went for the North side. The South side is supposed to be an easier route - which if you are trying to do it without supplemental oxygen would make more sense. I also don't understand why they kept staying in camp 6, within the death zone, instead of going down to camp 5 for even just 1-2 nights before trying again (bearing in mind this is what you do to acclimatise - go up then back down).

[@eucliduschaumeau8813]

Climbing without oxygen is just narcissistic behavior. It endangers both of them and the climbers who tried to help.

[@autarko]

​@SeasonedAssistSergei as the stronger climber should not have left her alone. It is 100% his fault that she died.

[@samanthakoller533]

At the end, you ask if it was worth the risk.. but you left out that she had an 11yo son that asked her NOT to go… she did anyway, and then died. So no.. it wasn’t worth the risk. Even if they were a childless couple making this decision, there are still loved ones that would grieve. But the fact that she had a young child, and dismissed him asking her not to do this? No. Not only was it NOT worth the risk, it was incredibly stupid and selfish.

[@samanthakoller533]

I believe she had initially asked him if she could, and he said yes.. then later asked her NOT to.. I can’t verify that at the moment, so don’t want to present it as fact, but I remember reading that about someone and thinking how awful that burden is to put on a child.. they’re not going to want to tell their parent they can’t accomplish their dream. Now that guilt is on them forever. And if it was the same climber, than not only did she put that on her son in the first place, then she went ahead and ignored his pleas not to continue. Disgustingly heartbreaking and selfish.

[@rdred8693]

I don't understand. I don't even have kids, and there is NO WAY I would risk death and leave my kid an orphan!

[@justincase3230]

Whole reason I don't want kids or a wife is I like doing dumb/dangerous stuff. Once people are relying on me I don't think I'd be able to ride a motorcycle anymore, so many close calls.

[@windycityliz7711]

My understanding is that her son did say, Okay, you should do what you love. But as a mother I would never put that responsibility on my young child - leaving him to live with guilt as well as grief. Although sounds like she was off risking her life quite a lot anyway.

[@cooki47]

My husband and I were just starting to get into climbing high mountains ( Everest not on our bucket list) when I got pregnant and we decided to let go of our dreams and focus on our kids. Best decision ever. This story is beyond tragic for that orphaned son.

[@marcomcdowell8861]

Experience just means your mistakes haven't killed you.

[@ll5974]

Yet

[@frankmiller95]

Exactly. "The word 'experienced' often refers to someone who's gotten away with doing the wrong thing more frequently than you have." Laurence Gonzales, from his book "Deep Survival" Almost everyone who's engaged regularly in any inherently dangerous activity, requiring skill and good judgement, who can read those words for the first time without wincing inwardly is likely fooling themselves. l sure did and try to never forget it. Despite that, l recently almost killed or maimed myself in the most stupid, easily preventable manner imaginable.

[@sparkykitty6870]

🤣

[@marcs4128]

Some people are just better at choosing their mistakes more wisely than others!

[@hevoskuiskaaja2008]

I have to write this one up. Thank you.

[@MsCJones2011]

The worst part of this for me is how her child was scared for them to go. Had nightmares that they would die on the mountain and begged them not to go.

[@TheTrinityIsGod]

All the people who climb without oxygen and without a team are not only risking their own lives, but also the people they meet along the way who are forced to help them.

[@ContentMedia101]

well, that's why one should not ask for help when dying like she did. there are risks to know and act out the consequences.

[@warpedlion]

The other tragedy here is that they had a son who didn't want them to go. It's noble to want to save your wife and I don't knock him for doing his best to get her back safely, but their son ended up losing both parents instead of just 1

[@rebeccacampbell8020]

Are Everest climbers narcissists?

[@sebastienbolduc5654]

@@rebeccacampbell8020 it could also be a normalcy bias in some cases. Like cancer, an automobile accident, etc some people think it will never happen to them. And yes, for some it won't. The truth of the matter is that the law of probability doesn't discriminate. It has to happen to someone!

[@ILOVEJESUS321]

I’m 62 and somewhat of a daredevil. After I had kids I quit doing things with extreme risk. I’m now free diving with sharks, skydiving etc. My kids are grown and I’ve waited a lifetime to do my bucket list. Personally I never could have taken such risks when my children were dependent on me

[@smittysmeee]

@user-us5pv8zw3z He had been married to the boy's mother since the boy was 4 years old. It doesn't matter who donated sperm. Sergei was responsible for that boy and chose thrills over parental responsibility same as the boy's mother. Any decent stepparent is just horrified as any biological parent.

[@LivingLifewKay]

@user-us5pv8zw3zkids whose bio parent isn’t in their life can absolutely have another parent by marriage. Or be adopted. That was no less Sergei’s child. You do a disservice by saying what you did.

[@dennqw]

After watching almost all your videos involving Mt. Everest, it's impossible for me to believe that ppl 1- Expect help 2- Arent ready to be left behind 3- Arent ready to die on that mountain.

[@arkus1928]

Survival of the fittest baby

[@Wonderkid44]

All 3 of those things go out the window when you feel the curtains closing, no one is immune to that fear.

[@bold810]

Ouch. Let's not go swimming.

[@dennqw]

​@bold810 No. Swim wherever you want. If you wanna swim in one of the most dangerous places where rescue is none, know your risks and be fine drowning.

[@dennqw]

​@@Wonderkid44I guess my itch is they know already about the dangers and when those curtains are closing they are asking ppl to do the almost impossible and save them. I understand what you're saying too. I put myself in their shoes and wonder if I would accept my fate peacefully or ask for help. Such a tough, tough and very sad situation to be in.

[@drunkvegangal8089]

I went to Nepal in 2000-2001 and never wanted to climb Everest; not even hiking to the first, initial base camp! Even back then it was a conveyor belt of rich, entitled tourism where anyone with enough money was welcomed by one trekking company or another to 'give it a go'. The idea of climbing over dead humans, and heaps of human waste and trash cannot be viewed as a 'good time'. Walking through the Annapurnas, however, tea house to tea house, is amazing :D

[@ankitacharya975]

you dont see dead ones in annapurna because if someone falls from annapurna south aur annapurna main then their bodies turns into chunks and pieces.i am from nepal and i find it foolishness to climb or be anywhere near any mountain for harsh weather conditions and brutal lifestyle.i like to enjoy my life in terai

[@drunkvegangal8089]

@@ankitacharya975 I specifically don't mean climbing any peaks in the Annapurna range - I simply mean walking from tea house to tea house at much lower elevations; The Annapurna Circuit Trek at 1,000 to an OPTIONAL 5,000 meters :D

[@katerinaa9344]

EBC is ok to give it a go, it can be challenging but not risky route in comparison to summiting. Was in Nepal last year, beautiful country❤

[@sweetmissypetuniawilson9206]

​@@ankitacharya975 How do I get some special honey?!

[@powderriver3554]

100% agree. It all comes down to bragging rights, money, and stupidity.

[@Itried20takennames]

Francis reportedly asked her young son whether she could go climb Everest, which seems considerate, but puts the son on a terrible position. If the son said no, he gets to live with crushing his mom’s dream. If he says yes and she dies, then he has to live with the fact he could have said no and “saved her.”

[@cassandratq9301]

Her asking her son to choose was second only to her needless death as a lesson in poor parenting.

[@sarahmottram3369]

The thing is, mountaineers have a different mind set in a way...I have a fear of heights so would never attempt any mountain. Life is not black and white, lots of grey.....I feel it's okay to judge whilst sitting in our safe environments but we don't really have a clue what it's like to be them....just a thought...

[@jamba622]

Other commenters have stated that he did say no. (Asked her not to go). Stated he was interviewed in a documentary and said as much.

[@jamba622]

@@sarahmottram3369we do know what it’s like to be a child who relies on his parental. Many of us know what it’s like to be a parent who worries about our children if we die before they are of age. To suggest that her narcicissm requires us to pity her is not something I’m willing to agree with. You’re right though - I don’t know what it is like to be a selfish narcissist.

[@sarahmottram3369]

@@jamba622 I didn't mention pity , what I said was no one, unless they have a 'mountaineer mindset' can truly understand....I have children and it certainly isn't what I would do but the old saying 'unless you walk in someone's else's shoes then have a wee bit of understanding...attempted wise advice from the old country, of Scotland...

[@mandalorianmama]

The fact that the Uzbek team gave her two bottles of oxygen is very telling of their character

[@mandalorianmama]

@SeasonedAssist what tf are you talking about? It's definitely spelled Uzbekistan. People from that country are called Uzbek or Uzbeki. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@basilbrush9075]

Deciding to use their energy and oxygen to get to the summit instead of helping to drag her down is more telling of their character

[@mandalorianmama]

@@basilbrush9075 how much do you actually know about climbing Everest? Even if they had tried to help her down they would almost certainly not have been able to. Rescue just isn't possible in the death zone.

[@basilbrush9075]

@@mandalorianmama may as well just crack on to the top and not worry about it then? It's psychopathic. I know the logistics of getting her safe (depending on location) is incredibly difficult, with crevasses and ladders etc, but could you not stay and talk to her? What kind of person does this? Oh, yeah, rich people, of course. Fool I was to expect compassion from them.

[@sage6336]

they left her and carried on to the top

[@fearlessvic]

I just don't understand why they risk not only their lives, but possibly that of others. Such a waste!

[@evilspyke5760]

so they can tell their friends how much better they are then them.

[@Lilliesandlilacs]

Bc it's a business

[@BlackSheep_216]

I can definitely understand people wanting to summit mountains like Everest. Most people's lives are mundane and repetitive. What a beautiful accomplishment it would be.

[@jean-baptistepoquelin5116]

This is what we call narcissism and egocentrism.

[@jonik.1931]

It's also very selfish if you leave partners, kids, and garbage behind if u die.

[@powderriver3554]

There are enough life-and-death risks even attempting to climb Everest, let alone take stupid risks like not bringing oxygen. NOT worth one’s own life. Ridiculous.

[@justinsidious9772]

Yeah but their egos.

[@sirridesalot6652]

One of the biggest risks in climbing ANY mountain in a death zone is sudden bad weather that strands you in the death zone. Without oxygen, shelter, warm clothing and high calorie food; it's basically a death sentence especially if you're stuck t here for a couple of days or nights.

[@criticalevent]

I'm not someone who understands the whole climb Everest without oxygen challenge. Do people take pride in diving shipwrecks or caves without oxygen?

[@annme_87]

I just watched another series on Everest (channel is called Adventure Gone Wrong if you're interested in a big 3 part deep dive on the deadliest storm is Everest history) and one of the guys didn't plan on using oxygen. His reasoning was that going without supplemental oxygen is hard, but running out of oxygen immediately feels like you've taken a strong sedative. Definitely not saying I agree, just telling you what he said.

[@gingivitis9148]

Free diving a shipwreck maybe, if you tried bragging about free driving a cave, the cave diving community would try to eviscerate you.

[@mosaicowlstudios]

​@gingivitis9148 oh yeah the cave diving community would shut that down so fast, they don't f*ck around

[@mosaicowlstudios]

I seriously think first-world climbers get their egos bruised by seeing Sherpas thrive in that environment, not realizing that the Sherpa community has been there for generations and their bodies have literally adapted to life in those conditions.

[@thing_under_the_stairs]

@@annme_87 The climber who didn't use supplimental oxygen on that climb, Anatoli Boukreev, was a bit of an exception to the usual rules too. He'd grown up climbing in the Ural mountains in the Soviet Union, and spent weeks before every climb he did acclimating his body to lower and lower oxygen levels. Physically, he was more fit to survive on low oxygen than anyone else on the mountain that day, apart from some of the Sherpas. I know that this is counter to the narrative that John Krakauer presented in "Into Thin Air", but Boukreev saved at least four lives that night, and Krakauer was probably writing with lingering post Cold War resentment, so I think the facts speak for themselves, especially when one looks at Boukreev's career as a professional climber.

[@consciousobserver629]

I deeply appreciate Kyle's honesty and humanity on this channel. He doesn't seem to have a bloated ego like so many content creators. Protect this man at all costs. ✊️

[@Warcrimeenthusiast]

If the sherpas have to carry all your crap and set up your camp ,then you didnt accomplish sh!t

[@anniebieber19]

My thoughts exactly.

[@markreed3160]

What, a person still had to traverse the mountain right? Damn it sound like we got a bunch of haters man just everything I read is like people just hating that being said I think it's pretty crazy people trying to climb mountains like that however i jump out of planes I do crazy things to fish so.... Maybe I'm just a sick !!

[@higurashikai09]

​@@markreed3160 carry your own weight and stuff then

[@susanalexander6721]

Sherpa do that for pretty much all climbers. Though terribly underpaid, it is a coveted job. Those born there have a much easier time with the altitude.

[@ringchaser4488]

They can manage the conditions better but there are still plenty of them dead up there too so i wouldn't call it "much easier". It is said that atleast 1/3 of the bodies up there are Shepas.

[@_nick_d]

I’ve watched dozens of K2/Everest documentaries, one common thing I hear with the tragedies is people get caught up with wanting to be “the first person to _____ without oxygen” judgement gets clouded by trying to make it. Attempting the summit without oxygen is accepting much greater amount of risk climbers realize.

[@AntonioPeralesdelHierro]

Ew! Ive been climbing up and down Mount Everest all day and all night! You plain jane housewives and working stiffs wouldnt understand. What have YOU ever climbed? ( sneer sneer,).

[@kmsch986]

And now there are so few firsts left it’s gotten ridiculous, first person from Alabama born in June who owned a Lhasa Apso and summited without oxygen 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@bojanaaa]

This is what I said too. I think climbing without oxygen should be forbidden on any mountain that goes into the death zone. Not every body is genetically built to survive such a feat and that doesn’t mean you’re better or worse than someone else. I agree with Sir Edmund Hillary who said that climbing Everest has become something else that he doesn’t understand anymore.

[@_nick_d]

@@bojanaaa I’ve heard stories of people having minor coughs to dead the same day to people feeling fine on decent and just collapsing n die nearly instantly; it’s just gnarly conditions in death zone. Pretty crazy to think Ed & Tenzing did it with equipment of that time and no support on higher camps.

[@SamanthaVimes]

Even if you survive it, it's got to be a worse experience. How well do they remember the walk, the view, their feelings compared to people who keep their brains fully functioning throughout? The experience seems like it should be more than making a not-very-exciting record.

[@jonathanmosher72]

As a climber, Francise's body was in a field of slate like flat rocks and it's pitch is much more extreme than what it looked like in pictures. It's very dangerous since you can only achor into snow or ice, which there's non of. Sergie just slid on those rocks to oblivion.

[@relaxandunwind564]

there's literally nothing they could do for her anyway except die too

[@AngelGonzalez-pd4cn]

​@@relaxandunwind564Yeah then these scumbags heart blessing bitches suggesting that those folks should die too helping her and become another frozen dead body up there. People piss me off!

[@ost324]

Haven’t made it far into the video so idk if he says this or not, but what’s even sadder is that she gave her young son (I think 10-ish?) the choice on whether she should climb or not… he mentions it in a documentary I saw. How awful to put that on your child, and to risk leaving him an orphan, and all the guilt he must feel (unwarranted, of course, obviously, but children are very quick to blame themselves for things). He’s an adult now. Hope he’s doing well, wherever he is.

[@dkin]

Damn, her son will carry that for the rest of his life.

[@peregrination3643]

I was wondering if this was the same person. The picture was familiar, but I didn't remember the husband, just the son.

[@discoj7112]

I missed the fact that they had a son. No parent should ever put something as dangerous and meaningless as a Mt. Everest climb above being there for their child. I feel like the obsession some people have with climbing Everest borders on a disease, and we should not encourage it by celebrating any of them.

[@blip-2024]

​@discoj7112 I agree, it has to be a mental illness. Risk letting your child grow up without his mother/ father so you can say you climbed a mountain? Seems selfish.

[@Gaius_Sinstone]

No, the son told her not to go. She went anyway.

[@katemaloney4296]

I can't feel sorry for them. I get that they wanted to set records, but their first responsibility should've been to their child. I hope their son found real parents who loved and cared for him.

[@ContentMedia101]

finally a reasonable response. I want you to know you are smarter than 80 percent of the comments here.

[@ringchaser4488]

True for the mom. But Sergia was not that kids dads. They meet later on when the kid was already born and older. Folks are really dogging this man when he didn't have a kid.

[@ChristyCarrillo-cj7xd]

100 percent

[@drunaisis9797]

​@@ringchaser4488if one is in relationship with person who have a child, he or she is moraly obligated to that minor in the relationship package! Person with child might be single, but its not alone ... if he would be responsible man, he would know better than this irresponisble woman.

[@catsngigz2]

​@ringchaser4488 but he is now his father the moment he married Francis! His responsibility towards the son was equal to hers

[@sidequest_adventures]

Man, it must be hard hiking up Everest and seeing someone that needs help but knowing that you can't really help them and if you help you could die too

[@pixpusha]

It's like of cold blooded.

[@dlcarbonneau3750]

@@pixpusha Agree, those on the way up might be more able but then they have to give up their effort, money, bragging rights, etc.

[@hevoskuiskaaja2008]

A lot kept going because they wanted to reach the peak.

[@dirty46]

I had been riding a Harley exclusively for several years and absolutely loved it. I eagerly paid the sacrifices that only owning and riding a mtorocycle as your mode of transportation provided you see I had ended a bad but long term relationship and cast myself headlong into living a different life. Fast forward some time and I hook back up with my high school sweetheart after decades apart after returning to live in my home town. A few years later and one day I make the realization that my life is good and im happy and I've attended 6 funerals in 3 years of people who ride and made the decision that day I wanted as many hours/minutes/seconds I could get with this woman and that time was far more valuable to me than the time I spent in danger on my Harley. To each their own, but I choose love and happiness over exhilaration.

[@mbmochinski]

Congratulations on your decision. A lot of lives would be saved if more people made the decision you made.

[@georgia2321]

This is such a lovely tribute to a lovely relationship. I wish you all the happiness in the world ❤

[@jelyfisher]

June 11 last year, a HS classmate of mine left behind a widow and three kids because he loved his bike so much. You made the right choice.

[@TJbuffs]

I’ve had this exact same experience, and generally just lived my life without any regard for my safety or future. I didn’t care to live or die, not that I was wanting to end things exactly, but I wouldn’t mind if it happened either. I actually was in the process of heading to Ukraine to fight, cause I thought it would be a way to feel useful and experience excitement. I then met my girlfriend, and all those thoughts went away. I’m finishing my MBA now, and I’m going to sacrifice my wild life to give my girlfriend/wife the best life I possibly can. We’ve been together 3 years now. I have one semester left. I’m happy for you, I hope your life keeps getting brighter.

[@luciaconn6788]

one needs that edge, live competitively, don't die stupidly or w/ parts missing!

[@kristie3592]

Did they have a son? I saw a little boy in a photo. If they went off to do this while they had a minor child I think they are the biggest pieces of crap on the planet. Once you have a kid your life is not only yours and taking unnecessary risks is a jerk move.

[@warpedlion]

They absolutely did have a son and he asked them not to go, and they did anyway.

[@Mypoint155]

It was her son from a previous marriage.

[@Fire-Rabbit87]

Absolutely agree! When I was young and dumb, I didn't care about the stupid things I did to risk my life. Once I became a parent, I realized how important it is to my children that I stay alive and well for them.

[@Out_GalliVANtin]

@@warpedlionOh, that’s heartbreaking!

[@stewpitteejit]

It's extremely selfish, but it also takes a lot of arrogance to know the risks, but believe they don't apply to you.

[@alexdevalera4550]

I have been involved in a couple of rescues in the Alps and it was not easy. Rescuing someone in the death zone is suicidal and if this couple was on the North East ridge, it would be much more difficult technically than on the South Col route. Lack of oxygen prevents you from thinking clearly and taking the right decisions. Spending so much time in the death zone is fatal, What a sad story. At such altitude any trivial miscalculation, weather change or slight incident that you would encounter may cost you your life.

[@abeeral-qattan5997]

You are a great storyteller, there is not one single boring second - thank you so much Kyle . Your fan from Kuwait

[@paradoxical_taco]

The people in this comment section criticizing Fran for her final words as her delirious, oxygen-starved brain was in its last moments are being awful. Between delirium and the fear that can accompany death, this is not something anyone should be judging. If you’re looking for something to criticize, how about the absurdity of climbing Everest without oxygen? Or doing that when she would leave behind a child if she failed? These were decisions she made when she wasn’t delirious because she was moments from death.

[@chrismartin5450]

Crazy right?? People have zero ability to think outside the box

[@DrSpoculus]

Yeah, how horrible of a human to ask other human beings for help in a dire situation. What's weird to me is that people would not help a dying human because they have to stand on a certain square of earth first. They were like, yeah u dying but we gotta go stand in this spot first. We'll be back later. A human needed help, and they put their "goals" ahead of being human.

[@jeannedeaux540]

@@DrSpoculus You really don't understand how it works there... It's not about "stand on a certain square of earth first", it's about not dying yourself, it's about survival. This dying woman, with all her clothes on and her lack of strength due to her exhaustion must have weighted quite a lot, prob' more than 65kg. Let's say 65kg even though it must have been more. And now, let's say that the other group decided to save her instead of continuing their adventure. To climb where Francis was dying, they pushed their bodies very hard, they also lacked oxygen like she did, they were exhausted, their muscles probably crying for some rest, their bodies ready to shut down at the first sign of immobility. And you would make them add 65kg of weight on them? Which means pushing their muscles and energy even more to their limit? Risk dying (because yes, in the Death Zone, that's exactly what you risk, your life)? For a woman they were not even sure would have survived until they got her to the closest basecamp? For a woman who knew the risks but still decided to face them because of her ego? Yeah, no way Jose, if it was me, I wouldn't help her, I would keep walking to not risk end up like her if I staid put for too long.

[@yikes7607]

That's demanding too much of these keyboard warriors. Plus they live for pointing their greasy fingers at other people's mistakes and relish in their tragedies.

[@reapthewhirlwind4166]

@@jeannedeaux540 yes much like in a depressurized passenger airplane with oxygen mask drop the instructions are to immediately place over your mouth and then if someone next to you say a child or someone sleeping needs assistance you help. But you are a minutes away from passing out yourself so you place the oxygen mask on self.

[@jennygirl8849]

When I hear "Mount Everest", I instantly think of climbing trash/debris, polluted base camp, depleted oxygen tanks strewn about and dead bodies everywhere. Never been, so I dont know how it really is, just my impression.

[@colleenjoan8072]

Me to

[@Amethyst_Dragon_]

I picture the same thing myself 👍

[@sethwiley7839]

You see pictures by people only. It’s easy to kake it look worse then it really is.

[@IKWorldAdventures]

You are wrong! I was there. It’s divine! Go and see yourself

[@rnies6849]

you have those things, but more than that the everest area is one of the most impressing places in the world. You need not do the climbing and then you do not encounter the ugly sites. The mountains there are breathtaking and you have enough space to enjoy the nature all alone.

[@sherrifeather3003]

It's crazy that people with spouses and children attempt this knowing they might die. It's a very selfish goal. It doesn't prove anything to anyone

[@carmenceballos3397]

It only proves their selfishness. They aren't thinking of their family and friends.

[@froggy8182]

My partner and I met through climbing. We understand the risks and share the philosophy that life isn't supposed to be kept. We know we won't be around forever for our children, so we teach them to be resilient, confident and to do what gives life puropse, without fear. Because we will all die eventually, so we can either spend our lives trying to avoid it, or accept it and enjoy all the experiences that open up to us

[@jackspring7709]

@@froggy8182 There's a difference between "dying eventually" and going on dangerous adventures when you have children. Fine if you don't have children who depend on you - but bringing children into the world and thinking nothing of the effect on them if one of your adventures goes wrong is the height of selfishness. "We taught them to be resilient". They are already resilient due to having parents like you and its not down to what you taught them. Smh.

[@rnies6849]

@@froggy8182 the experience of dying in the process cannot be an enjoyment

[@LongCoolTall]

@@froggy8182 (hypothetically, as I dont know your children's ages) if your children are of an age where they live with you and depend on you, then it's extremely selfish to partake in hobbies which come with a high risk of death. Spin it how you want, but there's no two ways about it if your children are young. Your duty as a parent is to prioritise their growth and support them to adulthood. 'being resilient' isn't going to provide guidance and support to a child left without parents and still trying to learn about the world/themselves.

[@littlefishiesinthese]

One of the most controversial opinions I have is that Mt Everest should not be climbed. The pollution up there is unbelievable. The local people get exploited. Companies have gotten greedy and allow too many climbers up there - often the climbers are incredibly inexperienced and subsequently threaten the wellbeing of other climbers and sherpas. Let the mountain be.

[@susanalexander6721]

And the country's government is allowing it to happen. You don't just climb without permission.

[@samuraisharkie]

HARD agree, and it always shocks me how upset people get about it. The local government is just as complicit, allowing all this to happen. It’s horrible, and it’s the Sherpas that have to deal with all of that shit.

[@noniousxltruffles7454]

With you ALL the way on that affair despite 👍

[@AllisonDNADOC]

I'm doom scrolling Mount Everest videos, so i just watched yours. Very well presented🙂 Thank you for the information, I had no idea about any of this. Such a tragic story.

[@LindysEpiphany]

I think its crazy to do it without oxygen. Every moment at that altitude is killing brain cells as well as your body. I don't know about anybody else but I need every last brain cell to be in full working order!

[@dianthis]

Hear hear!

[@ContentMedia101]

its crazy to think about how scary nature is but i do get why one would want to test their limits.

[@julzhepburn3688]

Well if you dont have enough brain to realise you Need oxygen to climb everest ,then you certainly cant afford to lose more ,,imagine taking that risk when you have a young child ,,thats Not heroic thats plain selfish,,,poor kid ,,he will always know the choice his parents made ,,some kind of thrill over him ..

[@GiraffeLoverJen]

If I was stupid enough to climb Everest, I would 1) know that there is a high risk of death and 2) I would absolutely NOT expect anyone else to risk their life to save me.

[@justinsidious9772]

You just described everyone who has climbed Everest.

[@no_peace]

They don't expect it when they're in their right mind. They all know they can't save each other. Their brains were literally turning off. Please educate yourself

[@powderriver3554]

Not only that, your dead body is left on display for all the other climbers to see. Such disregard and disrespect for human life. It’s beyond me. Is that something to be proud of? Walking by dead bodies? Leaving them up there to rot? How hypocritical that helping somebody come down would risk your own life so don’t do it, but yet risk your own life and others potentially by going up there in the first place. I hope Darwin‘s law kicks in overtime for all who climb Everest. Selfish idiots.

[@sethwiley7839]

Your wrong. If you get lost due to weather or the weather is too bad for them to climb up. Sherpas will go but depending on weather if they can make it or even help. You have a better chance to die on K2 or Annapurna.

[@lornarettig3215]

@@justinsidious9772I don’t think so - many of the people who end up dying don’t seem to accept that they took a high risk and lost. They don’t want to accept that their own decisions mean they’re about to die.

[@TheBritColl]

“Your mommy and daddy aren’t coming home because hey loved a mountain more than you” - police to the kid probably. How many people did they harm for nothing but a picture on a mountain.

[@JimmyMon666]

Or more accurately loved themselves more than him.

[@vanzell1912]

It’s not uncommon at all for parents to put their own petty aspirations above the wellbeing of their children. Happens all the time…

[@bigrudd9346]

I've typed similar words in other videos about mountain Climbers. It's so frustrating. Selfishness and ego drives these adventures.

[@freefall9832]

Selfish and callous people

[@tdurb0]

Can I just add to the discussion that women are somehow seen as more selfish than men, even though statistically, a much higher percentage of climbers are men with children. Alison Hargreaves is a classic example of a woman given such a rough time on here and in the media because she was a mum. I’m a man, I’m not a flag-waving feminist, I just want to point that fact out for the sake of adding balance to the discussion. Thank you.

[@reztheninja]

Climbing a mountain isn't worth dying for but trying to save your loved one is

[@susanalexander6721]

Amen.

[@ContentMedia101]

well climbing a mountain is worth dying for if its all youve ever wanted. A bit reckless tho i must say after having a child

[@kathrynbaker8215]

I always appreciate your concern about getting all the details right. You always indicate when there is a dearth of verified information. Thank you.

[@DAnna639]

I’m so sorry the couple died. I also hope that the woman climber who heard, “How can you do this to me,” didn’t feel too much lingering guilt. I’ve been at the deathbeds of several people, and when they became immobile they often would say anything to get out of their situations. Even normally kind people would use anger, guilt or shame if you had to tell them no. The will to live is that strong. Sadly, it’s often too late for them by then, leaving survivors to feel the guilt.

[@s13rr4buf3]

@SeasonedAssist "Broad?" Did you come of age in the 1950s?

[@ditta7865]

I understand it's probably a thing they can't help their body just probably goes into panic. I had an auntie who was completely full of cancer but she wouldn't let go. Her body wanted to go. Doctors, nurses and my auntie who never left her side were traumatized and told her let go let go. I think it was a body that gave out in the end.

[@Lucinda_Jackson]

I think she was delirious and had no idea to whom she was speaking. It was meaningless.

[@lonesparrow]

O'Dowd and her team some real ones, gave up their summit dream to try to help this woman.

[@noctis129]

That team was just gonna leave until they found out she was a woman and that she was american. At least that's the way I percieve it the way the story is told.

[@boarhog1979]

@SeasonedAssist What are you talking about. People who climb are taking a big risk. How can you possibly blame Kathy for anyones death? It's a lame reply

[@kvetcherkit]

​@@noctis129What are you talking about? It says she didn't realize it was even a woman until she spoke and said she was American. That is how she recognized who she was. It has nothing to do with them deciding to help. Idk what you even hear that implies that.

[@boarhog1979]

@SeasonedAssist How would it be her fault Moron?

[@boarhog1979]

@SeasonedAssist By the looks of your pic you need to get back on your meds. You are stinking up the planet by Breathing through your mouth as well

[@alaska-bornfloridaman]

It seems like ever since Reinhold Messner climbed Everest without supplemental oxygen, it became a challenge for egomaniacs.

[@tsjackson72]

I actually listened to some silly man say he had climbed Everest twice, but the first time didn’t count because he used supplemental oxygen. I couldn’t help but laugh and think That’s it, let’s take the honors away from Hillary and Norgay!

[@BoJackHorseman_eatshay]

It is so so so dumb. I’m a pilot and have done voluntary Hypoxia training (hypobaric chambers) - it’s not a 1 to 1 comparison because my training was explosive decompression (air immediately sucked out) - but it is WILD how fast and detrimental it is to your mental state. I got to 66% oxygen saturation before I couldn’t remember my name and had to be pulled. My symptoms: immediate hangover level headache, quickly have tingling fingertips and then complete loss of the sensation of touch due to blood retracting out of the extremities, at about 2:30ish in lost 100% peripheral vision, and finally you just lose all ability to think. It’s basically like being blackout drunk. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to be beyond fatigued from 14+ days of grueling climbing, malnourished and sick, be running on terrible sleep, and then become borderline blackout drunk while hanging off the side of a mountain. It’s madness… but hey I get hurled into the sky and safely “crash” once or twice a day. Pursuing what you desire in spite of knowing the unnecessary risks is what separates human from animals. The folly of humanity; is it a tragic flaw or a beautiful celebration of free will? I don’t think there’s an answer.

[@tsjackson72]

​@@BoJackHorseman_eatshay That's funny. I was a flight attendant for almost 10 yrs. I've seen the hypoxia videos, in recurrent. Perhaps you were the star lol!

[@jinx.h.]

I think the same about those divers. Whats wrong about people only finding their own worth in doing things that take the most important thing we need for living away from us... And how does universe care for you to be on the highest or deepest point of earth without addictional air 🤔 and guys I am not a non risk taker, I just don't take life risks.

[@susanalexander6721]

There is only one Messner, and he's just been blessed. So many ways a mountain can kill you.

[@tamarabrunozzi8482]

Kyle you’re the best! Keep them coming. Love how you’re down to earth and honest. Thank you.

[@stephaniejohansen1600]

I appreciate your humble attitude in acknowledging not knowing it all! Good job.

[@mellel5594]

Not worth the risk at all! As many Everest summiters have said: getting to the summit is only half the challenge. I'm from Toronto, and one of my fellow Torontonians has been documented on KZbin, having successfully summited Everest. But she died on the descent. So, she made it, but she didn't make it. The cost, the risk, and the sacrifice are too much to make climbing Mt. Everest an admirable goal.

[@melissasmess2773]

It's a fool's journey

[@beneleonhard7915]

Most of those who die, do so on the descent.

[@dylanc.5345]

Another thing that I think make summoning Everest not admirable is the fact that most of the work is done by the fucking Sherpas. Western climbers get to claim this great feat when in reality they barely did any of the real work

[@theskyizblue2day431]

@@dylanc.5345eh, you’re just regurgitating things. They are absolutely climbing that mountain. By now, the trails are established and the sherpas are guides. They don’t climb for you.

[@dylanc.5345]

@@theskyizblue2day431 you're leaving at the point that the Sherpas have to climb the mountain every year to set a lot of that stuff back up because it's Mount Everest and it gets blown away. Plus they carry a lot of gear, they're not just guides

[@Fiona2254]

We once dreamed of going up to base camp. Just to be that close would have been enough. Then I got injured and after that I read all about the 96 (it was 96, right?) disaster. Husband used to hike up mountains alone, he then realized that if all the people getting ready to go up the mountain that early morning he was the only one alone. Her remembered our children and wondered what would happen if he didn’t return safe. Those things ended our mountaineering days. Mountaineering is a selfish endeavor, it feeds the ego and nothing else. The mountains are beautiful but dying on them isn’t. Vanilla hiking is the only kind we now do.

[@colinluckens9591]

What's "Vanilla" hiking???

[@chlocast4306]

@@colinluckens9591it just means regular hiking trails

[@eddiemiller9000]

Good exercise and still spectacular nature but safer. ​@@chlocast4306

[@tinaalexander8719]

Well said. I'm so glad you made the decision to put your family first! I guess quite a few DON'T, bc after their deaths we are told of their wives (sometimes husbands) and children back home. Selfish, indeed.

[@tinaalexander8719]

​@@chlocast4306Not as exciting as Rocky Road, Triple Mocha with Strawberry swirls, or even good old chocolate, but better chance of coming home alive!

[@ChristopherDeVries]

There are so many beautiful mountaintops in areas where rescue is possible and hikers will help! The view from Haystack in the Adirondacks is amazing and the altitude is below 5,000 feet. I think the Everest mindset of going to a place where you have to let people around you who are in trouble die is really antithetical to the general hiking community where people volunteer to help others.

[@Lilliesandlilacs]

But these aren't hikers...

[@ChristopherDeVries]

@@Lilliesandlilacs yeah. I’m actually kind of glad not to be lumped in with them.

[@powderriver3554]

I’m tired of the martyrdom

[@HeatherLandon227]

Yeah- I'll take the super easy Mt. Mitchell over this nonsense anyday. I'm not a big hiker either.

[@sweetmissypetuniawilson9206]

​@@powderriver3554I'm tired of the trash being littered all over the place! 😠😤🤬

[@prince6592]

I just ordered some LMNT.......love your stories and voice ,,thank you !!!

[@autisticlybrē]

This is the first video of yours I've ever watched and then subscribed, of course. Well done 🙌🏻

[@pozzee2809]

Leaving your child an orphan, is just selfish.

[@sparkykitty6870]

Their ego told them they would make it back. That their determination was stronger than the true risks.

[@AnimalLoving-24]

The kid isn't an orphan. It has a biological father still alive

[@janefromtennessee]

Very sad knowing the dangers that Everest imposes. At least he has a biological Daddy.

[@janefromtennessee]

I lived my life for my three children. I didn’t think of me for many years. Yes, I had hobbies and enjoyed life always.

[@queen_b9280]

Getting in a vehicle is risky but we do it everyday. Bottom line, putting what we love for our kids is selfish to ourselves.

[@BurgessFamilyRanch]

Thanks, as always, for well-researched and entertaining story!

[@LadyVesuvius]

I personally think if you are free and single or a couple that likes to do this then great, go for it, but this couple left a young child behind who actually asked them not to go on this expedition and he lost both of his parents. As much as Im all for living your dreams, I do think that sometimes you have to put others first, like your children. Why risk your life climbing Everest only to add an extra risk by doing it with no oxygen. Baffling.

[@noctis129]

The boy has a biological dad. Who didn't die on mt everest.

[@LadyVesuvius]

@@noctis129 I'm gunna go out on a limb and say the kid was still pretty fucking devastated even if he did have 1 parent left.

[@noctis129]

@LadyVesuvius oh well... the mountain was worth it I guess. But that would be pretty much anyone who goes up these mountains. Whether they leave a child behind, a spouse, a sibling, devastated parents, friends ....etc.

[@AnimalLoving-24]

Oh because the lives of us single people means nothing to anyone right? No one cares if we suffer etc as long as brats are ok. God I hate kids being used as tools so much.

[@LadyVesuvius]

@@AnimalLoving-24 I no longer go on holiday because the cat I adopted doesn't want me to and gets distressed when I'm away. I brought the cat into my life, my responsibility to keep her happy, safe etc. Same with the child I mentioned in my original comment. You bring a child into this world, at least have the decency to not ruin his/her life by taking such unnecessary risks. Its selfish. That was the point I was trying to make. You bring something into this world, do your best by it or just dont bother and do what you want with no responsibilities. Single peoples lives being meaningless wasnt what I was saying at all and is just you being dramatic lol but then again if you "suffer" by your own hand then no I dont care.

[@Jb-kl2in]

Thank you for bringing to my attention these lives. We should all aspire to fulfillment and such sparks as these 2 souls are deserving of recognition.

[@beverleygreenwood3173]

Hi Kyle, sorry you cannot make a video every week any more. I really enjoy them more than any others. I live in rural Queensland Australia. Look forward to your next story. ❤

[@sandyoi5301]

"Don't Leave Me!" Makes you wonder why they appear to not understand the risk of "Death Zone" 😥 😔

[@good1day726]

Of course they know that, delirium is another matter.

[@no_peace]

This is like making fun of someone who has Alzheimer's for thinking their spouse is still alive

[@sandyoi5301]

Heartbreaking! Knowing it is delirium due to oxygen deprivation And Not Making Fun of Anyone!!! However... Not sure if anyone really understands dying .... until you are going through dying processes 💖 😔 🕊 😌 💖

[@ll5974]

What typical person wants to die? Deliriun or not, i am sure the wish for help was real. Risking life is one thing. Actually dying is another.

[@LillibitOfHere]

I can’t believe people will leave a person to die just to go tag the top of a mountain that hundreds of people have already gone to.

[@brendaleverick3655]

I recall going up Pike's Peak with my grandmother on some kind of train, tram, or lift as a child. I passed out from the change in oxygen level.

[@Bloodyack]

The cog railway! I also went with my grandmother but since we already lived in Colorado at the time I was more acclimated and only felt a bit light-headed. They sold very good beef jerky in the tourist shop, although this was a long time ago.

[@susanalexander6721]

That's why climbers spend months on the mountain to acclimate a bit at a time.

[@ContentMedia101]

and your grandmother didnt? id be ashamed mate but you have hell of a grandma thats for sure, cudos!

[@lorpsandorps3729]

Well that’s why you should acclimate. On our last trip out west, we gradually increased our altitude to help with this. Never go from being a flat lander to the top of a tall mountain in one day

[@janefromtennessee]

It can happen. Yes. …About the oxygen

[@twonapsaday]

it wasn't worth it, especially considering how their actions endangered others. I don't believe that these folks loved every inch of that mountain, they did this for clout and unfortunately it cost them their lives. just found your channel yesterday, been loving the stories. learning a lot about what not to do.

[@keithschultz9406]

Thank you for sharing your video of Fran and Sergei… sad story of a tragic accident on Everest … as an Avalanche technician… the mountain don’t care about your training as a guide… the mountain will take you’re life

[@4LayersOfStrength]

This is an amazingly well put together video. The first 12mins was done with a high level of compassion, sensitivity and intention to educate the audience. Kyle you deserve all the success you have achieved AND much more in the future. Its a shame though that you hate hiking 😂 Blessings from a beautiful part of Australia (on the coast) 90mins north of Sydney.

[@evilspyke5760]

i like hiking. ive never once seriously considered Everest. the only reason i would consider Everest is just to say i did it. but dying isnt worth saying i climbed Everest especially since its just become a rich persons bragging rights.

[@Suzanne1999]

Attempting Everest is not "hiking." Two completely different endeavors.

[@sweetmissypetuniawilson9206]

I've never considered it bc I'm not a fan of being cold. It's pretty much beyond cold there, no thanks! I fell off a cliff too, so no climbing mountains for me! Not interested!

[@no_peace]

That's always been the entire point of climbing it

[@evilspyke5760]

@Suzanne1999 what would you call it?

[@sebastienbolduc5654]

I wouldn't do it because it looks boring AF! I also hate the cold. 😂

[@psychette8846]

It is not about the risks of climbing Mount Everest. It is doing so without the oxygen. Their outcome was not unexpected.

[@tommybewick]

Because it was his wife. Maybe you're not married and don't understand.

[@psychette8846]

@@tommybewick Your comment makes no sence. Wife or not who cares? YOU ARE IN THE DEATH ZONE AND NEED OXYGEN OR YOUR BODY EATS ITSELF. You are not expected to live. Marital status has nothing to do with it.

[@jasminecollins897]

It's both. The danger and difficulty in general is why it's rare for other climbers to stop their own climb to assist someone who is struggling significantly, even if they have oxygen.

[@davidbiagi2932]

What does that have to do with anything he said?

[@isabelp187]

To be honest, everest is really risky now due to the amount of foot traffic on the mountain and the global warming making the climbing season shorter. Like people die because they have to wait so fkn long in line to summit. If you google Mnt Everest traffic its actually insane

[@starrywizdom]

Thanks for flogging LMNT. I've always been a heavy sweater, but I was told many times growing up that only serious athletes needed to replenish their electrolytes, & that I would be fine just drinking water. It took years of having fainting episodes before I finally figured out that that was hogwash -- if I'm at all under the weather, or if the temperatures rise above about 80 F, I VERY MUCH need to replenish my electrolytes, or my brain stops working properly! I know they pay you & everything, but I think it's important to get the knowledge out there that electrolyte replacement isn't just for marathon runners, & that even casual day hikers may need it!

[@sylviaa4378]

I just found your channel recently. Binge watching now, great stuff!!

[@theJadedLady420]

I thought I knew about the majority of Everest's climbing tragedies, but this is one that I had never heard about It's a bit after 3:30am and I'm wide awake as usual and hoping to go to sleep afterwards. Thanks for the upload.

[@BlackSheep_216]

Another banger! Your channel is definitely in my top 10.

[@cadenandthegirl]

I think the problem with Everest is that because it’s the tallest peak on earth, because it’s a relatively do-able climb, because so many people attempt it every year, you get a lot of people who grossly overestimate their own capabilities. While it’s a noble goal to try to summit without supplemental oxygen, it’s simply courting death for anyone other than a Sherpa. If that’s a risk you’re willing to take go for it, but don’t endanger the lives of other climbers by demanding they save you after your poorly-calculated decision didn’t turn out the way you wanted it to.

[@rnies6849]

those two were fit and they knew that they were fit. Here the deadly mistake seems to have been that they did sth no experienced climber or doctor would suggest them: they spend three nights on an elevation where you try to avoid to spend even one night. They returned two times, but were not descending below 8000 meters. There they overestimated their abilities.

[@basilbrush9075]

I don't think it's a noble goal. It's an ego trip.

[@jayfalcon-rw3qc]

People native to Nepal often have a genetic condition that allows them to survive at high elevations. Their blood can carry more oxygen. However, non native people usually don't have these genetic factors, and without that advantage, it is even more of a dire situation, and the chances of survival are lower without supplemental oxygen

[@ContentMedia101]

the physcial fortitude it takes to accomplish the feat of completing the hike is CRAZYYY. that's why i have so much respect for sherpas and what not

[@Jen-run84]

It’s a terribly sad story. Thanks for sharing it so others hopefully won’t make the same mistake.

[@sophie4636]

No matter how many times I hear this story, it is never any less heartbreaking 😭💔💔💔💔 it's the son left at home who asked her not to go that gets me 😢 there is an interview with Fran's parents and her son years after her death that is so touching and so sad. Climbing is ultimately totally selfish.

[@megandrew802]

I love hiking vids, but hearing ur a vermonter like myself had me subbed!

[@Mypoint155]

Nothing is worth risking your life so much just to show you are the best at something. Life should always be above everything. RIP Francys and Sergei Arsentiev.

[@tristantimothy1004]

Pride & vanity have killed more people than bullets. Starts wars, causes untold greif.

[@froggy8182]

That is quite a reductionist way of looking at it. If we give them some grace, wanting to achieve something can have many other motivations than simply 'showing you are the best'. Especially when it's something that takes so much planning, training and effort. It's likely more about self-fulfillment, taking on a challenge and seeing it through to the end, overcoming fear and embracing experiences etc. All things that would be praised, had they not lost their lives. If we prioritise safety over the things that make life worth living, then what is the point? We'll all be dead in the end, either way

[@ContentMedia101]

@@froggy8182 omg i literally love your mindset there are SO MANNYY corporate dwellers talking about climbing mt everest being " foolish" and "egotistic". I bet they are typing from their comforting couch while eating some hot pockets too. they do not know what self fulfillment feels like. Only pleasure and instant gratification.

[@HelloThereGuys40]

@@ContentMedia101well they left a kid an orphan was it worth it

[@Plug4dabrain]

I would bet 100% of people who sadly lost their lives on Everest regretted being there. At least some of the last coherent thoughts had a level of regret. People who have lived through it, may tell people they have no regrets. Cause they're alive.

[@ContentMedia101]

well duh, no one wants to die, but in the case of death, i imagine they were ready for it and did mostly everything they've wanted in life before taking such a risk

[@joerudnik9290]

If you climb Everest, you should expect to die, and be pleasantly surprised if you don’t.😮

[@sethwiley7839]

You shouldn’t expect to die. This negative attitude while get one killed. But they know they could die. But so can a person die at anytime in a vehicle so every time you drive you should experience etc to die.

[@StormsandSaugeye]

The fact that her husband died trying to rescue her was the most heart wrenching part of it all.

[@nursefaithrn4321]

I'm an ER NURSE, After years of being present when horrific news is given when we exhaust our abilities NO it's not worth it. I so deeply respect the love of nature and of conquering the different elements and factors what comes with it. It's not worth the pain to those left behind and it's not worth missing your life. I'm a religious woman but I wouldn't want to miss the life I have or with my husband and children. I lost my Uncle under very suspicious circumstances after a fall from a cliff in a national park and his friend never telling us or the police what happened. It was very suspicious in that he was terrified of heights which is ironic with someone who was 6'8, and we knew that he would never have been near a cliff. The loss has haunted our family since. This is why I became an emergency department trauma nurse specifically. I don't want this to happen other's. Be safe!

[@Za7a7aZ]

What a shitty situation to run into some one whos about to die and is asking you to safe her...kindda traumatic

[@discoj7112]

Yet another reason to never climb Everest.

[@sethwiley7839]

If you can’t deal with that then you should never climb any mountain. I drove for Lyft in Colorado Spring and in the 3 years I seen at least 5 dead bodies. Some covered up with whatever they use and some not covered yet. Do I should never drive again? Now I purposely don’t look at wrecks.

[@automnejoy5308]

@@sethwiley7839 I don't want to climb a mountain or be a Lyft driver.

[@rudejase]

Summiting Mt. Everest was an achievement back in Mallory's and Irvine's days… Now it's just a tourist attraction for rich people. I usually have little sympathy for these wreckless ego-driven things. But this was especially sad.

[@rnies6849]

summitting everest is still an achievment. World wonders have always been also tourist attractions, like the Yosemite National Park or the Grand Canyon. There is nothing wrong with that.

[@automnejoy5308]

Make no mistake. It was just as reckless and ego-driven when Mallory and Irvine did it (or rather, TRIED it). In fact, orders of magnitude more so. Absolute obsession with being FIRST, despite admitting they had a 50-1 chance. (That was an optimistic guesstimate.) Mallory admitted it to his wife in a letter. Imagine how she felt reading that.

[@s13rr4buf3]

​​​@SeasonedAssist1) she wasn't a single mother. She had a husband, Sergei. 2) why would somebody being a single mother make you not have compassion for them? You think there's something wrong with being the one who's raising the kid instead of the one who ran away from responsibility? Or died maybe?

[@clownivore]

@@s13rr4buf3 this dude is just obsessively responding to comments here to be a troll and whine about her in particular, it's nuts. i don't even think her actions should be without criticism but this guy is just acting like a weird incel about it

[@aljones75]

It’s not the most difficult climb out of them all but still extremely risky and a huge achievement. Yes you do have to be rich, I agree, but someone out of shape and with no experience couldn’t just rock up and walk it. It probably wouldn’t end well anyway.

[@misscecity]

We are not oxygen depraved in this comment section. I include myself. I feel the anger, the lack of understanding of this kind of challenge but can't we find it in our heart not to be so harsh ? Francys was a delirious, dying woman, I don't think the "I'm american" meant "I'm american so I'm better than every one else save me". We don't know exactly what happened and it's a sad story, somewhere, there are a son, a daughter, friends and family that miss Francys and Sergei and they know them better than us. I will never understand the need to accomplish this kind of challenge but I don't feel the need either to bury Francys and Sergei under a ton of judgemental and harsh comments.

[@cassandratq9301]

I'm torn, as she wasn't oxygen- deprived when she made the decision to even attempt the climb while safe at home. Given she was a mother to a young son.

[@misscecity]

@@cassandratq9301 I'm torn too, I have mixed feeling myself. I'm just questionning the extra judgements we can find in the comments (about for example the interpretation of "I'm american").

[@colinluckens9591]

Exactly!!! If you find someone in danger of death YOU TRY TO SAVE THEM end of, if you can do so without putting your own life at risk.....

[@gingerbeer849]

People climb Everest for the fame. Stupid reason, particularly when they have children. Not torn about this judgement at all.

[@annegallagher7558]

I appreciate your sensitivity to pronouncing names correctly. It honors the individual or place even if you didn't get it correct the first time. Thank you!

[@lorastolle3786]

Thank you so much for your wonderful story telling ❤

[@jimsteinway695]

Climbing Everest is stupid. It’s become a tourist trap. There are others that you can climb without dying for no reason. There are now too many variables that can kill you that you have no control over. If you’re going to risk your life maker sure you have control over the variables you can and limit the ones you can’t.

[@StevenG222]

The story of Everest's "sleeping beauty" is tragic...I have a problem and questions with Sergei leaving her alone in the first place!

[@cwired9407]

No loving husband is accidentally losing track of his wife atop Everest in the first place (unless perhaps in an accident, avalanche, or severe storm). "Why are you doing this to me?" may have really been directed to him. Him immediately going up to her aid after reports came in of her location and condition doesn't negate him shirked his responsibility prior to that (as a hiking partner and a married partner). Gut always felt like something was seriously off about this.

[@bgee461]

Clearly the man had priorities, you don't get to be an elite high altitude climber by being soft. If she wanted a compromiser she probably would have married someone in accounting.

[@StevenG222]

@@cwired9407 100% agree! Him "rushing out" to save her always felt like he was trying to save his own reputation and stop the speculations of why he left her!

[@samanthaquinlan4126]

Lack of oxygen to the brain and you would make nonsensical decisions

[@StevenG222]

@@samanthaquinlan4126 without a doubt. But when he returned to camp reports said he was mentally aware and healthy.

[@caribooskidoo3997]

Damn, this one was sad Kyle. I can imagine Sergei saying "Fuck it, I don't want to live without her."

[@erikanapsey9420]

Hey! I am from VT :) Love this channel....

[@JoliNatural]

Appreciate your explanation of the death zone and why it's called the death zone. Hadn't understood any of that until now.

[@drunkvegangal8089]

It's one thing to beg a stranger to not leave you to die BUT, as most people who truly love someone know, one would plead with their loved one to 'let me go and save yourself'.

[@s13rr4buf3]

She was probably either unconscious or dead by the time he got there.

[@drunkvegangal8089]

@@s13rr4buf3 Don't you get it? She would have told him not to come find her - if she truly loved him - and he would know this. In the same way, he would not want her to come find him if the roles were reversed. Hope this helps make things clear to you.

[@susanalexander6721]

​@@drunkvegangal8089she was near death when with O'Dowd, talking out of her mind. Removing clothes is a good hint. That's near the end. And as someone who has truly loved someone, not to hard to understand that her husband could not do everything in his power to save her.

[@drunkvegangal8089]

@@susanalexander6721 Yes. I understand and that's why I wrote what I did - she was a lost cause and would have encouraged her husband not to try to save her as he would certainly die himself in a useless effort. Hope that's clear now.

[@georgemartin1498]

Very good Kyle, thank you! Given your closing question I highly recommend to anyone interested a book by the famous French alpinist Lionel Terray titled Conquistadors of the Useless.

[@drcrocodile1]

Here we go folks. Let's talk about the death zone on Everest.

[@naturalimmunity3040]

over 20K

[@jeffjacobson59]

26k

[@krisushi1]

Maybe they think it just hasn't sunk in to us exactly how dangerous it is after viewing the risk for over a hundred times perhaps? Wears a bit thin hearing the same stories being repeated endlessly. What's the guess that David Sharp is next?

[@indy5542]

Well told story. Excellent.

[@namraimran418]

Video starts at 6:10.

[@j.stephens257]

I don't understand what drives people to risk their lives to climb a mountain where so many have lost their lives.. but didn't she have a young son? That makes it even harder for me to comprehend.

[@mbmochinski]

I think they have some types of mental illness.

[@ContentMedia101]

same thing the drives you to support your loved ones. fulfillment of ones life.

[@FoulBayRd]

I watched a documentary on climbing Everest with a focus on the more ethical aspects of this drive to climb. Her story was quite detailed. In that decade in the corporate world physical achievements such as mountain climbing were ways to propel one’s career. It was odd but at this time some people were taking risks with their lives because they felt they had no choice but to prove themselves this way to propel their careers. She was obviously experienced and accomplished, but she had a little boy and she asked him if it was okay for her to do this because it was important fo4 her life and career. That little boy , like any other little boy wanting to please his mom said okay. So she went away to another country and died on a frozen mountain, something I’m sure she didn’t explain to him was a common occurrence with what she was attempting. He was left being raised by her parents and they all had to live with the grief, loss and anger of her irresponsible actions.

[@sethwiley7839]

She could of easily died in a car wreck so no one should drive cars.

[@georgia2321]

@@sethwiley7839she wasn’t just choosing to drive a car by climbing without oxygen.. that’s more like driving blindfolded on the highway. And yes she definitely could’ve died doing that also.

[@FoulBayRd]

@@sethwiley7839one in ten climbers who successfully ascend the mountain die.

[@cassandratq9301]

I recall this documentary. This was true.

[@ohsodexy]

I'm a huge fan, but you've made a few mistakes. she wasn't layed down she was actually sat up when Kathy o dowd and he climbing partner saw her before the Serbian summit team. David snow has actually interview segments from Kathy. Keep up the good work though bro I've been watching for 6 months now.

[@joydavis7462]

Amazing and baffling story Kyle. I’m NOT a mountain climber like these folks. To my mind it would seem like those attempts to reach the summit but didn’t, staying in the death zone ill equipped , contributed greatly to their demise. May they rest in peace.

[@cdes1776]

The vistas and panoramas of the Himalayas are breathtaking and mindblowing. I have a few of these images framed. It's easy to feel the pull of these sacred and dangerous mountains that deserve our utmost respect.

[@cottontailsarah]

Can you make a playlist of just Everest stories ?

[@chrisvanbuggenum871]

I've definitely watched videos on sleeping beauty before, but i didn't realise she was so accomplished. After two failed attempts from camp 6 i wish they decended out of the death zone for some recovery.

[@JustSara376]

I wouldn’t say I like hiking….I just like walking around in the woods where I can still get to food quickly lol

[@SwampyColorado420]

Yes, light hiking is wonderful. Mountaineering is far beyond hiking.

[@JustSara376]

@@SwampyColorado420 lol it was kind of a silly comment. I can’t even walk at all. I was just being funny to myself lol

[@rnies6849]

this video is not about hiking!

[@JustSara376]

@@rnies6849 my comment is though and so is the entire channel

[@ContentMedia101]

so you just like going for walks?

[@Nicna86]

You climb Mount Everest at your own risk, you don’t expect rescue. ESPECIALLY so when you decided to do it without supplemental oxygen.

[@anniepal2012]

I've heard the story from Kathy on a video and she said Fran was tearing off her clothes because of hypothermia.. Its makes you extremely hot in the late stages...they redressed her, tried to help as much as possible before moving on after they could no longer help her without dying themselves!! No one can carry another person down from the death zone...Sergi made it to camp 4...camp 4 is the last camp before the summit! There are only 4 camps between base camp and the summit!! No one expect the couple will ever know how they got separated!! I watch everything EVEREST!!! I am OBSESSED with the videos... BUT...I definitely ENJOY & PREFER life at sea level!!! I literally live 6 miles from the Gulf of Mexico!! Thanks for the video!!