Summit Fever? Bruce Herrod's Fatal Self Portrait - Everest 1996

Bruce Herrod was the last man to set foot on the summit of Mt Everest during the deadly 1996 climbing season. He also became the final victim of Mt Everest that year. Yet Herrod had every chance to turn back before it became too late. What pushed a rational, mature climber to take the ultimate, unnecessary risk...??
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Sources:
www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/i...
www.climbing.co.za/2015/09/ev...
www.enca.com/life/travel/ever...
www.outsideonline.com/outdoor...
www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/everest...
Everest - Eighty Years Of Triumph and Tragedy (Ed. Peter Gillman)
Documentary - The Dark Side Of Everest www.imdb.com/title/tt0414939/
Photo Credits - Bruce Herrod, Sue Thompson, CooCat86, Times of Israel, Pemba Sherpa, Getty Images, Hilendra Sikar, Garrett Madison, Rob Schauer, Patrick Conroy, Mirror Group
Blurry screenshots taken from "The Dark Side of Everest"
Although focused primarily on disasters, this channel is all about the interesting, the strange, the unsolved, the tragic. Our world has a varied history full of terrible tragedies, bizarre tales, unexplained events, and extravagant people. I hope you enjoy some of the fascinating stories we have here.
#History #Disasters

[@ytcensorhack1876]

Remember kids the golden rule of mountaineering - going to the summit is optional, coming back down is compulsory

[@peteconradjr.8605]

God Bless You and keep You Bruce.

[@Teverell]

That photo of Bruce Herrod reminds me in a way of the one of volcanologist David Johnston at Clearwater 1 observing Mount St Helens in the hours before it blew. Both men doing something they loved that eventually they died doing. Such a sad story, yet he made it and you can see the absolute joy on his face that he made it, that he's there.

[@rogerwatt3154]

I knew Bruce Herrod pretty well in the early '90s when I was publishing director of Athena and we published several prints of his excellent Antarctic photography. He was a really nice. sensible and together guy so, while it's always puzzled me that he didn't turn back, as I knew that climbing Everest was his abiding ambition, I'm not totally surprised that he went for it.

[@cluelessbeekeeping1322]

& he was an idiott. Anyone who climbs Everest is an iddiott.

[@christiankeil7845]

Fascinating story, imagine a professional photographer who only takes photos on the summit. Nothing is important except the summit. Not one other photo from a place that has some of the best views on this planet. Definition of summit fever.

[@chatteyj]

You think it may have been a bit of a hassle getting the camera out the old back pack at 20,000 ft on a steep incline in bad weather? How much mountain climbing have you done? When you're trying to get a job done stopping for trivial matters is not a priority.

[@aquachonk]

Summit fever is real. In the late 90s, I pressed on to the summit of Mt. Shavano in Colorado in an approaching thunderstorm. Lightning and thunder crashing all around, I could taste nickel in my mouth, but the top was only a couple hundred feet away and I had been at it all morning. I actually leaned down and kissed the brass geodetic survey marker at the summit like I always do--what an idiot! Amazing I wasn't fried like a chicken drumstick. Chalk it up to being 20something.

[@asterlofts1565]

I think something similar happens with people who dive to very high depths in the sea or ocean... I don't remember his name... but one of the symptoms is complete disorientation and with it, not being able to return rise to the surface... and a high probability of drowning.

[@Sashazur]

⁠​you’re describing nitrogen narcosis. It can happen to divers, the effect is like being drunk. It’s a similar effect to hypoxia which happens when there’s not enough oxygen, something that occurs at high altitudes, like on Everest. But Mt. Shavano summit is about 14,000 ft; hypoxia generally starts at 16,000 ft.

[@ianmacfarlane1241]

@@Sashazur Nitrogen narcosis is a medical emergency - I don't think anyone would claim that summit fever is a medical issue. Isn't it just about an overwhelming desire to reach the summit, which leads to people making bad decisions? Stubbornness, drive, committment to the task, the fear of failure, the years of planning, the time and effort, the fact that you can see the summit... it's so close. All of these (and other) factors probably come into play, and when you're exhausted, sleep deprived and perhaps suffering from actual altitude sickness, you enter into a fever like state - at least that's my understanding of what's going on, (though I'm not a climber). I don't know if it can be countered if you're lucky enough to have a person who's in a better state of mind - maybe it depends on the person. Some might just accept the advice, while others might be incapable of seeing reason - I dunno. Maybe I've got it all wrong and it is a medical issue.

[@Halfdead211]

I’ll take “things that never happened”for 1000$ Bob

[@melindahall5062]

@@Sashazur Have you spent any time at 14,000 ft? It’s not pleasant if you’re not acclimatized.

[@fahrenheit2530]

When I was Boy Scout, I hiked on the Maryland segment of the Appalachian trail, to get to the top of a mountain called Lamb's Knoll. To get there, you can either take a paved access road or you can hike/climb. My patrol members and I didn't know about the paved road, so we chose to grind it out on the AT, on an 85 degree day with 90 percent humidity. Climbing that mountain was unlike any other hike I've been on, it was a extremely steep slope with dagger like rocks on both sides of the trail. The trail would deceive you and level out for a few hundred feet, then rise again. To top it all off, each of us were carrying 40 pounds of gear. At some point, I think it was after I fell on the rocks a few times, something in my mind just awakened and I became the most determined, unstoppable force on the planet for the final hour of the ascent. In that state, nothing else matters to you except accomplishing whatever it is you sought to accomplish. I suppose I made a vow to myself that no matter what, I would summit that mountain. Getting to the top was one of the most satisfying moments of my life. I'd imagine that Bruce had a moment similar to mine, and refusing to surrender at that late stage, just channeled all of his adrenaline, excitement, and frustration into a furious push to get to the top of the mountain. If it's any consolation, he at least got to be the happiest man alive for a short while.

[@fernandomarques5166]

What you described happening to you is a textbook case of summit fever, basically your mind convinced your body to make an effort to end your ordeal and reach your goal. An example of psychological "tunnel vision".

[@fahrenheit2530]

@@fernandomarques5166 I didn't know what summit fever was prior to this video, but looking back at it I'm sure that's what it was. A few miles to the west there's another mountain called Mount Lena that is just as bad, except instead of climbing it you can drive on the interstate to get to the top. I drive a Subaru with a shitty engine so going up and down that mountain was also an emotional roller coaster for me.

[@halfdome4158]

It doesnt surprise me that you were with the Boy Scouts. And they didnt know about the paved road either. Through the years, there have been so many accidents with them: people falling off cliffs, breaking bones, everyone lost, caught in snowstorms or flash floods, needing rescue teams to retrieve them. Last January, an 11 year old Boy Scout was killed with a firearm, protocols not followed, everything sloppy, outrageous. Firearms??? My parents never considered my brothers joining. My brothers used to go on trips with the YMCA. Always sensible, professional, planned, prepared, careful, no egos, nothing dangerous or risky, safe, interesting, really enjoyable. They learned and experienced so much and loved it. And the kids were watched like a hawk. Never heard of an accident with them.

[@fahrenheit2530]

@@halfdome4158 it depends on the troop. My troop was really well supervised, ran by a lot of desert storm vets. We used firearms regularly throughout my 11 years in scouts and I've never heard of any accidents in my troop. We have gotten lost more times than I care to remember but it always gets worked out in the end and it's a good way to test out your navigation skills.

[@peterlarson9970]

You are an excellent storyteller, and I never miss a video.

[@randylahey1232]

I agree 👍

[@interruptingPreempt]

I've done a little film photography, so I hope I can provide some insight. He may not have taken any photos until the summit because he didn't want to risk running out of film before the most important shoot of the journey. Each roll of film has 24 shots. Photographers may sometimes expend an entire roll on one subject for that one perfect shot. Changing the film requires some manual dexterity; it is something that might have been difficult or undesirable to do in the cold, oxygen-starved setting. I'm a little surprised that there were only two shots. I like to think he must have felt very good about them.

[@user-wm3bf7pi3u]

Thank you for explaining that to future generations of digital photographers. People don't even know what a flash cube is these days.

[@debbieannsmith8962]

I'll never understand how climbing a mountain like Everest could be appealing...I just don't get it....😢

[@KitsuneVoss]

There is a thrill to doing something dangerous. Not anything like the danger of Everest but paddling my kayak in choppy waves, fighting to keep balance was an exhilarating thrill. People also die all the time on much smaller mountains. There is always danger. Everest is far beyond my skill level and strength but I can understand the appeal.

[@ianmacfarlane1241]

Standing on the top of the World shouldn't be difficult to understand. Admittedly mountaineering isn't my thing, (I struggle to breathe at sea level) but I completely understand why people do it.

[@archstanton6102]

The adrenaline rush of achieving something very few others do after testing your body and mind to thir limits. A sense of utter perfection and triumph.

[@malcolmcook6268]

I'm right with you on that one. Negotiating everyday life provides me with all the adrenaline I need, without the desire to try out dangerous adventure sports.

[@Dee-nonamnamrson8718]

To quote Achilles in the Movie "Troy": "That's why no one will remember your name."

[@E3ECO]

How lonely to be the last man on the mountain, knowing that you had to come back down all alone.

[@robjones-qj2jj]

How stupid is it to be there in the first place?

[@johnkowalski5756]

You knew what you were doing. Oh well. That is like telling a fighter pilot that a fiery and violent death may be your fate. I have no feelings, either way, toward anyone who engages in such activities. They are fun and exciting but death/injury are always present. That is just the way it is.

[@ATK10155]

He probably didn’t give a solitary shit about being alone. There is power in doing things yourself and climbing that mountain and treking the last bit yourself, must have been an absolute thrill.

[@jimshepard3966]

I suppose @robjones-qj2jj you would tell a professional boxer, football player or racing driver they're stupid? It's easy to sit on your ass behind your keyboard and criticize those that screw up. They know the risk. You take the risk of being killed in accident every time you go somewhere in your car or on your bike. Until you attempt something don't criticize.

[@alexanderdukeler3948]

To be all alone on the top of Mt Everest must have been an incredible feeling. I can understand why he didn’t turn back and pushed on. Another excellent video, Raven. Thank you!

[@raphaellavictoria01]

I agree. As opposed to this channel's story of the pompous inexperienced ass from the 1930s who "defied the establishment", lol, this man here, Harrod, was no fool. He knew it was his last chance that year and he decided to go for it. He could have made it. He was probably in a hurry to get back down before sunset. He almost made it. Respect to this one, not the other ass who somehow has his admirers.

[@TacoBell5DollarBox]

Rob Hall always pops up in my mind when i think of 96

[@grapeshot]

Mount Everest AKA Mount Homicide or we can call it The Murderhorn.

[@jesusbeloved3953]

Raven, I liked the way you summed up why he may have kept going. We’ll never know, but your explanation may shut some of the “Monday morning quarterback’s” mouths.

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

Great story, and well told! The thing about mountains (specifically) is that unless you know the terrain well... as in INTIMATELY know that place... from any part of the slopes, it feels like you can SEE the summit ahead... It lingers right over you like the proverbial carrot on the end of the string... calling. SO on top the whole "Look how much it took just to get to that place..." ADD IN that this is the ONE AND ONLY real chance you've got. THIS moment is YOUR one moment, and what are you going to do? It's noon, and most expert mountaineers are going to caution you about the dangers, but damn... You've BEEN facing dangers all the time! You've just been a part of 8 deaths, just a couple days back, and you were RIGHT THERE then... You know the score... You know the odds, and how they go down with every passing minute. BUT if you turn back, you may NEVER EVER IN HELL get another shot like this one... More willpower to turn back instead of push on??? PSHSHSHSHSH... Try damn nearly impossible, and a regret you KNOW you're going to carry the rest of your days to the last syllable of breath you ever breathe! You were right there, a jaunt uphill to THE Summit of Mount friggin' Everest... and you blew it. You chickensh*tted, and pussed out... Could you REALLY ever willingly carry that as long as you live? Probably... BUT its gonna be heavy... It's gonna take some soul searching and tears... Yeah, summit fever IS a thing. I'm not even "into" mountain climbing. I've lived in the Appalachians my whole life, and I've been to multiple mountains around the world, and not much more than hiking those within reasonable HUMAN ability has ever really drawn my attention. Others can have my share of the alpine rope-works and cramp-ons and everything to do with it. I like deep, dark, wet holes in the ground... BUT I understand a bit of the mentality. I get the sense of adventure and its truest spirit. It's easy to dismiss adventurers who get into too much trouble to handle as stupid, and many DO go way beyond their training or ability... BUT some of the time, it's just tragic how things can play out, and it really isn't anyone's fault... It may not seem reasonable to the ordinary among us, but the ordinary among us have NEVER really tried to do something remarkable or extraordinary, either. Stand on some place that's entirely "Once in a Lifetime" before you pass your judgment. Even that I don't care for the sport or summiting Everest, personally... If I was that close... I already know me just well enough to say that would be THE hardest decision I ever made... I don't know which way I'd go, either. At least, I CAN be honest about that. ;o)

[@fyrequeene]

Very well said. And yes, if you know it's your one chance--how do you give it up when you're that close?

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

@@fyrequeene That's just it... and for a lot of others (who aren't filthy rich or backed by companies or whole governments)... How can you presume that you'll get another chance... to many people, whatever trip they've made may well be their only shot. It's so easy to say "There's nothing worth dying for."... BUT nobody struggles through that internal dialogue and conflict thinking they're about to sign their own death warrant. Thank YOU for reading... I just know I'd agonize on the thought of giving up. ;o)

[@basbleupeaunoire]

Great post.

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

@@basbleupeaunoire Thanks. AND thank YOU for reading! Maybe I'm over-playing from the adventurer's point of view, but it's from experience, even if I've only ever gotten myself into trouble I could get back out of... Anyways, just trying to pose something worth really thinking about. ;o)

[@DinoCism]

Man I feel like every post 1990 group that makes it to the summit always seems to have Pemba Sherpa as part of it. I'm sure that's not true but this guy has gotta be one of the most prolific sherpas of all time.

[@Docstantinople]

Pemba was the bees knees, he is retired now. Well deserved.

[@canadasleftcoast.5744]

It was deemed a South African expedition and yet only one of the 3 who summited was actually South African. Ian Woodall was also British. By most accounts, Ian Woodall was a real piece of work.

[@iqueque]

I believe Cathy ODowd is also a British citizen: her father funded a lot of the costs, and he is British. So no South Africans summited. It seems the whole shifts show was a Woodall/ oDowd ego trip

[@canadasleftcoast.5744]

@@iqueque She actually holds dual citizenship. She grew up in Johannesburg.

[@Docstantinople]

@@canadasleftcoast.5744Cathy was a slag home wrecker. She and Ian were having a shag at base camp.

[@mileshigh1321]

Bruce was set on achieving his own ultimate goal! Even the death of 8 others didn't deter him! He convinced himself it was within reach no matter what happened after! Look, he achieved what he set out to do, probably the high point in his life! #1 checked off on his list! Its tragic he didn't make it back....but what a way to go!

[@cmonkey63]

The insightful commentary on tragic events but delivered with a sense of humanity is what keeps me coming back to this channel.

[@deanothemanc5281]

Classic case of summit fever. However I can understand why people go for it, irrespective of the risks, in many cases due to costs it might be there only shot at it. RIP Bruce. As always outstanding narrative 👏.

[@markjones127]

I'm a photographer and mountaineer and it's perfectly normal for there to have only been 2 photo's on his camera, you don't take photo's on a final ascent push even at much lower altitudes, you just don't as you know if you take one picture you'll take 10 and all of a sudden you've wasted 30 minutes, and especially when you know you're running so far behind schedule, I'm also a meticulous planner and he'd have known deep down how much jeopardy he was in summiting so late, but summit fever and the euphoria of actually summiting does a very good job of overriding emotions and common sense, I live in Snowdonia so just bought a copy of his book on the Welsh 3000ft peaks.

[@stuartf2946]

You get so focussed on something, the saying, we can always try another day just goes in the wind. Great as always Mr Raven.

[@VTPSTTU]

Thanks for the video. This was very well done.

[@UlshaRS]

There are so many two-sentence horror stories based just on climbers that climbed Everest and are still there. Bruce has quite a few inspired by his tale.

[@hannahp1108]

As soon as you said the time he summited I went "oh no." If you don't summit by 2, you gotta turn around

[@neues3691]

It's crazy how bad the decision making of even climbing professionals are.

[@bradsmgads1302]

the difference between genius and insanity is success. at least he didnt kill 4 paying customers 3500m under the water

[@hayleyxyz]

Sunk cost

[@RobinMayhall]

Well … it’s not that crazy when you consider how much of that decision-making is done with a brain in severe hypoxia. No one can think clearly in the death zone. I kind of think the crazy decision happens when one gets on the plane to Kathmandu! RIP 🙁

[@MichaelD8393]

The adrenaline rush you get from say, summiting Everest, can cloud your judgement.

[@hannahp1108]

The financial investment. time investment, exhaustion, and limited oxygen can cloud good judgment

[@mauricedavis2160]

Rest in Paradise Bruce, and once again another excellent episode Sir, thank you!!!🙏😢🏔️❣️

[@j.griffin]

Why? A terminal case of Summit Fever.

[@CartoonHero1986]

It is interesting because the 96 climbing disaster which claimed Rob Hall's life while also a result of the bottleneck and miscommunication (none of the advanced team prepped the ropes for the final part of the assent due a to mix up in who was to prepare what sections of the climb... plus there was a mix up with the oxygen caches not being properly inventoried) but the fatal error for Hall that day was he let Hansen summit after the turnaround time getting the two of them stuck near the Hillary Step as a major storm was coming in and as both where running out of Oxygen (Hansen was out of Oxygen on the Summit). It is also interesting that were Herrod's body was found was VERY close to where Hall estimated he was while attempting to shelter during the storm in his final radio calls for help before they all realised rescue couldn't get to him in time.

[@Robutube1]

It is a long time since I read 'Into Thin Air' but, in addition to the oxygen issues you list in your very interesting comment, wasn't there also something about two incompatible systems being in use, where users of one couldn't use the bottles from the other, even if they were available?

[@CartoonHero1986]

@@Robutube1 I think you are right. I recall there was some issue with stashed oxygen cans that should have been full. I can't remember if it was an issue where the connections kept freezing due to the storm Hall and Hansen got stuck at the Step in. Or if it was that the only full cans up there weren't universal with the gear Adventure Consultants was using. I know at some point in one of the other climbing teams offered theirs and gave the location of their cache (I think it was the South Africans or the National Geographic team's cache) since the ones for Hall's team where all empty at the cache closest to the summit, but I don't know if Hall ever got to that cache since conditions made it near impossible for him to leave the dip he was sheltering it.

[@Robutube1]

@@CartoonHero1986 Thanks for that extra info Matt. I've just done a quick Google but didn't immediately find anything about different oxygen systems (my memory was of one system most commonly adopted and a rival, Russian system that was regarded as better but not widely used. They both had different valve connectors).

[@m.streicher8286]

The part where you put yourself in the climbers shoes was great. I wouldn't be caught dead in their position, but I understand their motivations.

[@tarrynharbour2907]

Great video! Just a note: The expedition was sponsored by the South African Sunday Times, not the British one. At the time the Sunday Times was the country's largest newspaper. Source: "Ascent & Dissent" by Ken Vernon, the ST journalist who was assigned to cover the story. The whole expedition was pretty disgraceful - Ian Woodall is not even South African, and it seems like he just exploited the opportunity for his own gain. RIP Bruce Herrod.

[@Dee-nonamnamrson8718]

That actually makes him perfect for a South African trip. He fits right in with their disastrous regime.

[@frank47ism]

Best videos on KZbin, please keep up the great work.

[@seanmchugh840]

I've done a great deal of travel and written about security and health for it. The biggest threat for travel is incremental loss of awareness and its evaluation or judgement as essential in dealing with the new environments- as exertion weakens awareness but the goal is still there travellers press on until disaster arrives. The problem is lack of awareness of lack of awareness and it's deadly. It also compares with drink driving- once drinking starts then awareness and judgement decline and a decision is made to drive that wouldn't be made if the driver was sober while being drunk... They can't see and can't see they can't see.

[@tabbitee]

Hearing the term 'autocratic leadership style' didn't quite line up with 'screaming and swearing' in my mind. Unless 'autocratic' is also a synonym for 'bully'

[@Robutube1]

I think you're on the money and that it is often used as such; much in the way that 'doesn't bear fools gladly' can be used as code for 'has a very short fuse'.

[@larry_ellison]

Great narration voice just starting on this channel

[@jeffreyshort4531]

When I saw that it was 1996, I thought for sure that it was part of that disaster, but wondered why him. Great video/story overall

[@PrezVeto]

Don't forget the probable role of hypoxia in his lapse of judgment.

[@Debra-qt3gz]

I Agree One hell of Guy your family member prayers go out too Him hes my hero dealing Cancer I had did myself.

[@timwalker1432]

Always appreciate your analysis, and there needs to be more known or shared on the 96 SA expedition. Just noting the Sunday Times that sponsored the 96 expedition is a South African newspaper and should be distinguished from the UK's Sunday Times. They have completely different owners and logos. I'm not sure the UK Times was involved in any way at all.

[@lololandify]

You've done it again!! :D

[@barbaralamson7450]

When the fever hits, there's nothing can be done, sadly in this case.

[@elmin82]

really good video

[@grapeshot]

If this had been a military unit the enemy most definitely would have destroyed them, no cohesion or sense of unity.

[@Nurichiri]

Yet some did summit and return.

[@iwaswrongabouteveryhthing]

but they achieved the objective, survival can be lower on the list, mission first

[@grapeshot]

@@iwaswrongabouteveryhthing yeah when I was in the military I was told that mission first.

[@grapeshot]

@@Nurichiri yes they did but if they had been cohesive maybe all of them would have returned.

[@demskrippaz5015]

This channel is deservedly exploding. Good content, Raven 🙏

[@joshthemediocre7824]

They believe Bruce was probably only alive another 15 to 30 minutes after speaking to Sue. That's how long it takes to start down the Hilary step from the summit. Summit fever. I don't get it. I adore being warm.

[@lifesahobby]

Thanks for sharing the story

[@Robutube1]

You have told Bruce's tragic, but sadly far from unique, story very well. It's pretty obvious that he succumbed to 'summit fever' and is a clear example of how it can affect anyone, regardless of their normal skills of logic and attitude to risk.

[@mikaross4671]

How tragic to reach the peak, just to die shortly after. RIP

[@zetectic7968]

Summit fever! Not the first or last as most die on the descent having pushed themselves beyond their limit. Being in the Death Zone, of oxygen deprivation affects the brain & probably clouds the judgement. Being on his own certainly didn't help. Have a watch of the film North Face about tragedy climbing the Eiger: lower level but no less hazardous.

[@vernefits1953]

This is the top of the world signing off

[@danijuggernaut]

We heard all stories about the lack of oxygen. I thing It affects the brain to act responsable making irracional decisions. So, even a cautious person can act irracional do to lack of oxygen.

[@ejtappan1802]

I just don't understand why anyone would be allowed to climb solo, especially on the final leg to the summit. I have to wonder, if the others had stayed where they were and waited for him to reach the summit and return before all starting the rest of the way down together, would Bruce have survived? Or would that have just been tempting death for all three?

[@jimnasium452]

5:15 in the afternoon?!! Way, way, way too late to be on the summit. 😳

[@graywz]

Correction: the sponsor was the South African Sunday Times, NOT British Sunday Times.

[@asterlofts1565]

I think something similar happens with people who dive to very high depths in the sea or ocean... I don't remember his name... but one of the symptoms is complete disorientation and with it, not being able to return rise to the surface... and a high probability of drowning.

[@Sashazur]

It’s called nitrogen narcosis. It can happen to divers, the effect is like being drunk. It’s similar to hypoxia which happens when there’s not enough oxygen, something that occurs at high altitudes, like on Everest.

[@toniwertman4818]

Summit fever. With no room for error ends ultimately tragically

[@carlbruhn1772]

Watching the late 1998 ish Nova episode of climbing everest. Bruce is seen briefly hanging upside down in his harness arms hanging straight out.

[@danielwhite7380]

What happened?

[@carlbruhn1772]

@@danielwhite7380 When he began descending he lost his footing and rotated upside down on the fixed line. To weak to right himself. He froze in place. The rope was cut at a later time and his body fell. That Nova episode is on you tube.

[@danielwhite7380]

@carlbruhn1772 wow ok cool thanks, appreciate the info. Would love to find it any idea where it is in that nova video?

[@StephanieElizabethMann]

I wonder if, as was said, Bruce was very chatty when talking to his partner, this was a small sign of the hypoxia that was setting in. I also think of a photographer not taking any photos except the two of him on the summit. Then to have fallen over backwards makes me think of how tired he must have been. Falling forward is just a bit of clumsiness but backwards more like exhaustion and fatigue. I won't criticise him for his choice because I would have done the same thing in that day. To be so close and go back. Not ever.

[@jorgemoro5476]

Unless there are Golden Arches at the top, I’m good. Thanks

[@GrumpyKay]

"Summit Fever". Where climbers refuse to give up getting to the top because there is so much on the line. And some cant afford 2 trips. They think its now or never..and its just right there! So many make this mistake and die on the way down. What shocks me is just days before, the teams of climbers who died made the same mistake HE did. Climbed WAY to late in the day . People literally died doing something he somehow felt fine doing. Now thats wild to me. I guess he didnt know how impactful that event wouod be in Everest history... but still.

[@65gtotrips]

What is all that stuff next to him in the photo ? Is it things that others have left indicating they had been there ?

[@detroid89]

Awesome video! 😁 Can't wait for the next one! 😁

[@johnkowalski5756]

Well. A lot of such folks have all these qualifications/degrees/are physically fit/are experienced climbers. And they still buy the farm!

[@eadaoinmurphy20]

Members of the famed rainbow stretch of the mountain where so many eager climbers lost their lives

[@lesleylester982]

"Did you exchange a walk on part in a war for a lead role in a cage?" - he didn't. I can see how he couldn't just turn around and go back to his cage without getting that walk on part. Had he turned around before reaching the summit he would have had to live with that regret for the rest of his life.

[@briantaylor9285]

RIP 🙏

[@Mus1c1luv]

Achingly sad. I respect the majesty and power of Everest. I'll never understand the desire to climb it.

[@MyTube4Utoo]

He looks "totally stoked" in the photograph? Honestly, I thought he looked constipated, like he was in pain.

[@laurachamberlain3187]

How did he keep calling from up there, not exactly good signal back then

[@SC-jh9qp]

So I know about:- Rob Hall's guided team Scott Fisher's guided team Taiwanese team Green Boot's Indian team South African team David Breashear's IMAX team Sherpas Can you tell me who else was on Everest in 1996?

[@pewpewenthusiast1607]

Maybe it's the true crime fan in me that really likes watching stories like this about everest. So far away, so remote, so corrupt.

[@manuelmontiel5418]

@ The Raven's Eye • Please do a documentary on the Refinery Explosion tragedy in Mexico Nov.1984 in San Juanico Baja California? You won't be disappointed.

[@thejournalist1785]

Can you cover the Great Kanto Earthquake?

[@conzmoleman]

hell yeah

[@KatmanJazznBlues]

. The atmosphere in the sky of course plays a big role as far as lack of oxygen and decision making processes in the brain at the extreme cold. I believe this gives the climber a high like sensation mixed with the adrenaline which creates a rush of endorphins that no drug could ever come close to. Glorious indeed from the photos I have seen but you have to keep pushing if you want to survive. That's why I hate the idea of crowds standing at the summit. Just think how frustrating that would be to be so close, but because of a bottleneck, you need to ration your oxygen and watch the time tick down to the latest you can leave to get to camp 4 before nightfall. That would definitely destroy my experience knowing every second that goes by with you standing in line could before long come to a major decision; do I wait and risk not making it down before nightfall or go on down knowing you chances of staying alive have increased considerably, but you know the glory that is just a few hundred meters away will have to wait until another time when hopefully there won't be a line. I guess you really have to time it so you have sunlight when you get there right around dawn to try to beat the rush for that day.

[@mikejones9961]

i love happy endings like this

[@anarsamedi7358]

Play stupid games = win stupid prizes

[@chicagogyrl4846]

“Not one to take wild risks.” Climbing Everest is a wild risk!! 😂🤣

[@darrenkrivit6854]

Attained his dream at the ultimate cost. Some folks are just wired that way, driven by goals at any cost 🏔️

[@grambo4436]

I wonder if you could do the "Massacre of Tlatelolco" an event that was ignored 10 days before the Mexican oylimpics in 1968.

[@shipofthesun]

When you put yourself in extreme danger and die, it is not a tragedy, it's an inevitability.

[@rw2452]

"He was the highest human being on the planet" 💀💀

[@malcolmabram2957]

The photo at 10:13 is a reverse image.

[@masudaharris6435]

As a general rule, I don't go where there are no proper toilets.

[@iwaswrongabouteveryhthing]

a tiny bit of bad luck can kill you doing anything

[@DanaX09]

Probably what Bruce suffered from was “sunk cost fallacy” as he continued when he should not because he had already invested so much in the outcome. But not cutting and running when continuing might mean losing your life, is a too high cost for the people he left behind. Sorry for the folks left behind, but I hope his joy at succeeding saw him through the tragedy of his final moments.

[@randylahey1232]

❤

[@jessicamilestone4026]

😲😲😲😭💔. Poor guy!! His poor family. To be honest, the fact that the team was falling apart right from the start and the fact that half the original team quit before even the first summit attempt, didn't bode well. Particularly as one of those who quit was the doctor on the trip. Why weren't arrangements made for his body to be taken back down the mountain and repatriated to Britain, as apposed to simply cutting him free (from the ropes) and letting him fall?

[@zenfrodo]

Because even in perfect weather, body recovery on Everest (and any extreme altitude) is more dangerous than simply climbing the mountain. Such a task has an insanely high risk of killing the recovery team amd adding to Everest's morbid trail markers. Every climber faces incredible stresses on their body; air/oxygen is so thin that helicopters can't get up there. Every climber's body is literally **dying** once they pass a certain height. Climbers carry just enough oxygen tanks to reach the summit and return, and it's a race to summit amd return before your body simply gives out. Any additional weight increases the oxygen use, which increases the number of thanks that must be carries, which increases the oxygen use, etc etc. It's a life-or-death balancing act. So...bodies are not recovered, and every Everest climber is aware of this. There's over 200 bodies up on Everest that will never be recovered.

[@hni7458]

Ppl here don't seem a bit interest in climbing, sooo many insulting comments. To me Herrod stood there keeping his head high, proud, happy as Larry at the top; he hadn't really risked anyone else's life - like so many other did that fateful year; and other do every year on Mt. E still; had Scott died otherwise do you think? had Hall died? He decided to summit, but wasn't able to return - it was probably the wrong decision, but it was fuckin his decision. Get a life ppl, watch things you like and keep quiet here!

[@thedingo8833]

Why???? Thin air.

[@timrobinson6573]

Just buy a ticket and fly on a commercial airplane and you'll be higher than everyone who climbed Everest.

[@francocasentieri932]

Great story, but I personally would retrieve bc of the cold thin air and the dangers. ( So to say stay at home )

[@BrownEyePinch]

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes

[@pjousma]

"just gonna be a bit late" Climbers fever, it's real.

[@Cemi_Mhikku]

He was a helluva ambitious dude, and the only thing that it cost him was his life.

[@MarissaNye]

Well they say every corpse on Mt Everest was once a highly motivated person. Not my cup of tea but if people want to risk their lives

[@JessieRed]

I’m glad that the Sherpas are talking about stopping the whole Everest thing…just like with this man, most people are willing to risk it all to make it to the summit when considering how much money and time goes into preparing for such an endeavor… The bodies pilling up on such a revered holy mountain, I hope Nepal shuts down the mountain to restore it to its natural state…. Everest tourism is absolute rubbish!

[@MarissaNye]

That will never happen. It’s the governments only moneymaker and for many of those sherpas the only way to make good money.

[@annnee6818]

Summit fever

[@dindu551]

Look. He died doing something pointless so he's definitely an idiot. But I would have gone for it's in his position 100%, because I am also an idiot

[@charliekezza]

What thw hell was he atill doing climbing at 5pm? Its a non negotiable 2pm turn around on Everest.

[@bartrainer3916]

well...