The REAL Story of Sandy Pittman's 1996 Everest Tragedy & Fallout

[@EverestMystery]

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[@AnnaLee33]

13:00 my father was a doctor, and explained to me that people who are seriously injured, in life danger or come out of it, often react in PARADOX ways. They will talk about completely irrelevant trivialties, laugh, when nothing is funny, etc, pp, and may not be able to realize what matters or what they went through, which can be experienced by other people as inappropriate behaviour, and it should not be held against them, bcause they are literally beside themselves. As to her outfit-- we should keep in mind that a person who is a fashion and runway journalist has a different stance on fashion and also has to style herself in a certain way, a world, of which male climbers probably have no idea. Just saying. Things need to be seen in context.

[@alistairbolden6340]

Sandy was very lucky these days she would have been left to die. Its honestly disgusting for any guide to take such a weak climber, it puts everyone in a great deal of danger. In the current teams if you are not able to carry on. you are cut from the main line and told to return to the last camp or stay where you are and die quietly, if you are slow you are left behind. It may seem cruel but there are way to many armatures who insist on climbing when not properly prepared. Sandy Pittman is one such, the whole team would have moved much faster without her and some of its other members are also to blame for being very slow. They should have been off the peak and past the step by 1pm. With Oxy a fit young climber can make the ascent from the last camp to the peak in just over 3 hours, the people on both these teems are not close to that level of fitness. I think ultimately it comes down to the company and guide that agreed to take her, its a guides job is to asses the climbers long before they ever reach base camp, this clearly did not happen. Yes she was unfit but that team leader agreed to take here, he should never have done that, sadly he payed for it with his life as a result.

[@alistairbolden6340]

@@AnnaLee33 There are many instances of guides who have lost their lives helping very similar people but in the last 5-6 years things have changed, now guides just leave people to die instead of risk their own lives, they will tell you to go back to camp if you are slow and if you are sick you are never allowed to push for the peak. The death troll has gone up a lot as a result, but its amateurs climbers dying more, less guides and Sherpa's.

[@Youtubeiswoke-p7i]

Sad how many people think Lopsang is the actor from the movie Zoolander. RIP sherpa Lopsang

[@Surfclub23]

Bet you didn't know that Pittman was a transformer

[@sully2737]

Maybe too simplistic of a conclusion, but my impression is that if Scott Fischer and Rob Hall had both observed their 2 pm turnaround time rule, they both could have lived to guide another day and their clients would likely have made it down the mountain. Maybe it was self-imposed pressure to be able to demonstrate success with their guiding businesses in order to entice future clients. We'll never know for certain. My general opinion of Sandy Pittman is that of disdain, purely for her failure to recognize the heroic efforts of Neil Beidleman and Anatoly Boukreev--or to even acknowledge that Scott Fischer had died. Her lack of gratitude is incomprehensible.

[@lindaroth6273]

Nobody ever respects the turnaround time, and then a storm comes up.....sound familiar??

[@sully2737]

@@lindaroth6273 Yes. And very sad.

[@Itried20takennames]

I agree Pitman was shockingly ungrateful and tone deaf in the aftermath, and unqualified, but I think the storm was the main thing to “blame” for the deaths. Yes, there were multiple delays, including Pitman herself and many staying on top too long, but the storm was what prevented many in the “huddle” or who stayed with slower clients from making it back to Camp 4. And from Wethers book, seems like there were multiple selfish climbers in Camp 4 in 1996, as well as heroes. When Wethers staggered into camp after being left for dead overnight, near blind and with useless, frostbitten hands, multiple people treated him as an annoyance they hoped would just hurry up and die already. He didn’t phrase it that way, but noted he was initially stuck alone in a tent for hours with no water, with the tent blowing flat over his face at one point, and with him screaming for help as his frostbitten hand/arm painfully swelled around his metal watch band he could not remove. Wethers said occasionally a person would look in, see he was still alive, and immediately duck their head back out…but Wethers does not name them in the book, and only after it was clear he stubbornly wasn’t going to die was much of any effort made to assist him. And Wether’s book seemed pretty honest, with him making no effort to make his time on Everest seem epic, mostly describing himself has having problem after problem on the mountain, being grateful for the help he did get or those who tried (like Anatoly Bucreiv) and that he got up/saved himself being left for dead as him having “nothing better to do at the time,” so might as well try to blindly find Camp 4.

[@picahudsoniaunflocked5426]

​@@Itried20takennames I've not read his book yet but I've watched talks from Beck & ofc several documentaries on the events of 96 & afterwards & Beck seems like a genuinely thoughtful, deep, humane, complex, honest man who has survived the incomprehensible & the reprehensible yet refuses to lose his own humanity. I don't know if he's naturally oriented towards optimism + hope or if he chooses to be so moment to moment, but he's someone I admire specifically for those qualities. Can't say I admire many other non-Sherpa climbers, but I admire Beck Wethers. May the rest of his days be full of peace + love + manageable adventure.

[@sully2737]

@@Itried20takennames Yeah, I definitely got the impression just from reading "Into Thin Air" that Beck Weathers was left for dead more than once. I'm not sure I have the heart to read Beck's book. The description of him being (unexpectedly) found alive and yelling for help even as the tent material was repeatedly flapping down onto his face was horrific at best. It's always been hard to wrap my head around him being put into a tent and left alone. Many years ago when I worked in a large hospital as a PT, I sat with a cancer patient for a few hours while he died; it was tough, but he had no one else, and I just couldn't leave him to die alone. I am in no place to judge the actions of anyone on Everest; I wasn't there. I didn't go through what they went through. It has always bothered me, though, that Beck was in that tent alone.

[@peach7210]

"Everybody says the definition of character is what you do when nobody's looking. And when we were up there, we didn't think anybody was looking. And so everybody did pretty much what their inner person...the real them.. the exposed them.. would do. And some individuals come out of that, I think, justly proud of their actions. And others would probably never want anybody to know." ~ Beck Weathers. I always suspected he was referring, at minimum, to Sandy.

[@pamelaannehowell]

Good for you beck weathers

[@luludust]

I thought the same thing. She was the first person that came to mind when he said this. Although, there are a few others I could also probably clump with her.

[@stephenmcdonagh2795]

Saying that nobody died on her team wasn't just a lie as Fisher died, but also disguising the truth that Rob Hall and Fisher had teamed up... so yes, plenty died on her team- but no socialites.

[@maxmackinlay618]

Beck is responsible for his own demise. If you can't make it to the summit then you turn back and head down. Beck just sat down and waited in the death zone for hours.

[@jchang5032]

@@maxmackinlay618 Correct me if I'm wrong, but Beck didn't die on the mountain. And Hall told Beck to wait. Hall is the experienced expert on Everest so I suspect that's why Beck followed his advice?

[@darrell0803]

Having recently reread Into Thin Air, Krakauer's handling of Sandy Pittman is totally even-handed. He goes out of his way to note that (a) Pittman did not ask to be short-roped, and (b) the sherpas complaining about her sexual liaison on the mountain were notoriously licentious themselves. He also heaps both praise and criticism on Bookreev. I believe that SP is (and remains) totally self-absorbed and frankly obnoxious. However, I agree that it is way to simplistic to make her the villain of Everest '96. There were a lot of underqualified people on the mountain that day and not nearly enough adult supervision.

[@indi3066]

Yep. Krakauer is very prejudiced in his book in many ways.

[@berryreading4809]

Definitely don't regard that book as documentation! Just a piece of the puzzle, but with a layer of tape covering the visual details... It has important parts that coincidence with other accounts, but has also been completely changed to fit his personal ideals and in some ways even to degrade reputations of others... Quite a biased point of view, but a neccessary point of study when looking at the entire 1996 disaster... The fact that it has become "the definitive record" for many people is a shame, especially after the loss of people who had direct disagreements or memories of the events and timelines of that historic event... John was also careful to not take responsibility for certain personal actions, or handing responsibility to others when he did... Just because your willing to throw out small bits of self deprivation doesn't mean you're willing to share the unbiased truth of events when you may come out the other side looking bad... I think John's book did exactly this in several strategic points of the disaster to preserve his own career and reputation... Further research and other people's recollections that basically match but also differ from John's account make this abundantly clear.

[@Tenebarum]

@@indi3066 He had a lot of assumptions and prejudices regarding his fellow climbers. He was hoping to expose commercial climbing, but stumbled on the golden goose. Blood money indeed.

[@indi3066]

@@Tenebarum very true!

[@Tenebarum]

@berryreading4809 He said Jasako had never used crampons before. That's an outrageous lie. She didn't scale Denali without crampons. He's one of those people who thinks he's so open minded and liberal, yet debases others not like him.

[@KarlRad-w8h]

Sandy was partly to blame. Her being short-roped prevented ropes from being fixed and critical time delays. She should have turned around long before the summit, but likely refused to. These delays resulted in deaths. The group was also slowed-down by Sandy on their return to camp 4. Her behavior towards the people that saved her is appalling. She didn't thank the climber that gave up her oxygen, she didn't thank the climber that gave her dex and instead tried to get that climber's boyfriend to leave in a helicopter, she didn't thank people that carried her, etc. She is partly to blame for the deaths, and solely to blame for her bad behavior.

[@antyant]

This is an overly simplistic way to look at things. The delay in the ropes being fixed only really affected the strongest climbers pacing way ahead of the majority of climbers. It's also a moot point since Krakauer himself helped to fix the ropes anyways in Lopsang's absence. Any delays after that were the result of a long line of people going single file up narrow spaces. Those elite-level climbers were all in camp by the time the storm hit.

[@Phoenixhunter157]

@@antyantit did deplete him of vital energy he needed. She was not fit to summit. Maybe more people need to be told no. So others don’t have to risk or lose their lives rescuing people who take ridiculous unrealistic risks.

[@Wisdom-Nuggets-Tid-Bits]

She was 90% of the cause of the DEATHS! Case closed.

[@bravado7]

@@Phoenixhunter157 You can tell her no, but she will just offer to pay you more money. I would say that it's only partially her fault. Sure, she should have known her limits, but also her enablers who agreed to take her up the mountain when they shouldn't have.

[@Itried20takennames]

Pitman was awful, ungrateful and tone deaf in the aftermath, but I would mostly blame the storm for the deaths, not her. And yes Pitman caused some delay that contributed, but there were also multiple other delays that had nothing to do with her, such as: 1. Multiple climbers ignored the turnaround time 2. Multiple climbers stayed on top for longer than recommended 3. Other clients had issues like Beck Wethers realizing the altitude was affecting his vision due to a prior eye surgery, so had to discuss with guides and wisely stop, and one guide (sorry but I forgot if Rob Hall or Scott Fisher) spending excess time nicely trying to get a postal worker, who he knew could not afford a future trip, to the summit, etc. 4. Although Anatoli Bucreiv was a true hero and had superhuman strength to save people once the storm hit, I believe he was supposed to have stayed while the weather was still good to assist one team with descending clients. Instead he summited then quickly went down himself to rest (pretty sure that was written, but not 100% sure) ….much to the annoyance of one of the team leaders 5. Although not as bad as now, it was one of the first years that traffic jams and delays due to sheer volume of climbers was an issue.

[@thegreatexaggerator9077]

Brutally honest breakdown of Sandy Pittman. Not too many people have the cahones to tell it like it is. Thank you sir!

[@MizQue]

Both Scott Fisher and Rob Hall made fatal mistakes by becoming emotionally invested in getting clients to the top. Scott with Sandy Hill, Rob with Doug Hansen. Sandy claims she was an experienced climber. Beck Weathers had been on a mountain with her before '96, and said she had guides cart up a hamper full of expensive food and a TV.

[@kcbarbo78]

It was more than an emotional investment. The financial viability of their businesses relied on their ability to get clients to the summit.

[@mwheape]

At some point, it has to become everyone for themselves. Or you die.

[@matthewotis3594]

@@kcbarbo78 but at what risks?

[@60sGirl123]

Sandy had plenty of money to make a second attempt. Rob and Scott were the guides. And who cares if she brought luxury items. Didn’t she leave them at base camp for future climbers?

[@ozwitchglenda]

The one thing if true was having a sherpa that avoided ropes that slowed things down to have her summit , I have watched Inti Thin Air, Everest movie but have not read book Into Thin Air. It seems like she had a little narcissism going on… so sad for all the others.

[@michelledawn3588]

Thank you for covering this, sharing your thoughts, and including Charlotte Fox.

[@EverestMystery]

Thanks for watching and for sharing your thoughts :)

[@picahudsoniaunflocked5426]

May Charlotte journey well.

[@billsfan7883]

You’re like the “That Chapter” or “Mr Ballen” of Mountaineering stories! Great story teller! I’ve seen literally everything to do with this disaster, yet I still found myself hooked in your story version of it. Keep up the good work! I’d like to hear you talk about Reinhold Messner and Lincoln Hall and all the other fascinating stories!

[@EverestMystery]

Thank you for the huge comment...it means very much to me. I was just researching Messner yesterday....slowly putting something together. I appreciate your thoughtfulness and hope to keep bringing the good stuff. I have one coming out on Friday (hopefully). Take care

[@DonnaBrooks]

There's a great channel called, "Adventures Gone Wrong." If you want to hear some great storytelling about the history of Everest and the 1996 disaster, look for her 3-part series on it. It was engrossing & enlightening.

[@sdsures]

@@EverestMystery Seconded! You are the "Mr Ballen" of mountaineering stories!

[@EverestMystery]

@@sdsures That is a great compliment! That man is one heck of a storyteller....THANK YOU

[@minini5571]

@@EverestMystery…I recently saw Mr Ballen live on tour. He’s even better in person! You two should do a Two Guys in Flannel tour!! Glad I found your channel…the world can never have too many awesome storytellers!❤

[@Bright.Girls.Film.]

The controversy surrounding Pittman has always fascinated me, specifically because of the ways she has been presented from the different accounts as well as the dynamics of the guides, the hunger of media outlets, and the expectations of the client’s role. Nobody should be short roped up the mountain, that is unforgivable but even that and who “was to blame” is cloudy(imo). I really appreciated your thoughts on this. You’ve provided a good deal of illumination that I hadn’t realized about her. Thanks Thom✌️❤️

[@reaux3921]

Nothing more than sexism. Male world

[@melissaeden1219]

I've watched and read a lot on this subject, and I feel there's a surprising lack of responsibility and gratitude on Pittman's part, plus a real lack of awareness of the effect of her behavior on others--possibly due to her life of privilege. I'm not sure I would say she was the sole cause of the tragedy; it had so many moving parts, but as you've argued, she certainly did not help herself.

[@alisonwilson9749]

@@backlogbrood2451But still not strong ~enough~, and the more experienced and capable she was, the more blame to her for not giving up sooner.

[@timewa851]

@@backlogbrood2451 ....the sherpas packed her like that espresso machine she 'needed'. lol. Baggage. Expensive kind. Time burglar.

[@bucksnake]

@@backlogbrood2451 More skilled than some is true, but she was not capable of climbing Everest that particular day. It is unfortunate that she chose to be short roped and consequently the Sherpa was unable to set the ropes he was carrying, in two key places in the death zone. Consequently, 30 climbers were stranded there waiting for the ropes for hours using up their oxygen. They had planned to summit by 1:00 but the delays put everyone in jeopardy so much so that some climbers turned back and 5 others continued and then froze to death.

[@annalau2596]

​@@timewa851that "expresso" machine was a small camping coffee maker that many people bring.

[@lanacastillo49]

​@@timewa851krakauer lied about that espresso machine she didnt bring that at all

[@LizzyL2024]

She was incredibly self-serving, selfish, needy, and inhumanely cold and devoid of common sense or feeling. She should be ashamed of herself.

[@journeyon6598]

@@LizzyL2024 , perhaps the flaw of all mountain climbers.

[@LizzyL2024]

@ No….you’re wrong. Not all climbers were like her. It is grossly unfair and inaccurate to group all climbers to a particular trait. And even worse, to group them with HER.

[@jenniwalker9180]

I can't imagine asking someone to pretty much put their life on the line to carry me up a mountain. If you can't make it yourself you have no business up there. She sounds out of touch with reality.

[@acleanpairofsocks]

I don’t think we know whose decision it was to short rope her. She says she didn’t ask for it, Krakauer seems to imply it was Lopsang who decided, and we know their leader was very motivated to make sure she made it to the top. She may have been more than okay with it, but I don’t necessarily think it was her idea.

[@drlangattx3dotnet]

She was not carried.

[@jenniwalker9180]

@drlangattx3dotnet my mistake I should have said carried down. She was pretty much dragged up.

[@dawnmoriarty9347]

I think many people overreach themselves on the mountain. They mostly survive due to receiving assistance

[@Chck314]

not true, between Bidelman and Krakauer we know it was Fisher who assigned the Sherpa to her for speciual attention. SO many commenters here haven't read Krakauer's book or heard Bidelman's account. @@acleanpairofsocks

[@janetkrulock1971]

She’s an elitist, they don’t care about anybody but themselves

[@eigleenalegri2664]

Indeed. And elitists want their money's worth when they pay.

[@SWS1493]

She contends to this day that there were no heroes on that climb just team members. The Sherpa pulled her up to the top,Charlotte Fox gave her a shot of dex(maybe two), Lena gave her the oxygen tank off her own back and Anatoli climbed up in the storm and brought her back to camp!! It’s mind blowing.

[@Wisdom-Nuggets-Tid-Bits]

@@SWS1493 Wow!! How and why did these people do all that for HER??? Putting their own lives in clear danger for her??? Why? A woman taking the oxygen bottle off her own back to this worthless narcisist?? Just....why?

[@SWS1493]

@@Wisdom-Nuggets-Tid-Bits This is all from what I have been seeing on these videos.They were on their way down from the summit,and Sandy was low on oxygen and unable to move and face down in snow. Neil,another guide,told Lena an advanced climber to give Sandy her tank because she was still walking.Charlotte did mountain rescue in Telluride,I think,so she and boyfriend were looking out for Sandy. They never received one thank you from what I have read. They were noble mountaineers who looked out for each other. Sandy didn’t even know who had helped or saved her. It is hard to imagine this behavior. Rob Hall died because he refused to leave a sick client near the the summit then got caught in the storm.Sandy chartered a helicopter the next day and flew off to a Kathmandu hotel offering only a Seat to Charlotte Fox’s boyfriend. For the same amount of money she could have rented a bigger helicopter and carried everyone to Kathmandu. It’s so astounding that she was that out of touch with the suffering ,sacrifices and deaths of others. Crazy.

[@Wisdom-Nuggets-Tid-Bits]

@@SWS1493 Out of touch....that is a very very generous gentle term. She is a sociopath psychopath. Sexing up there with no respect. And she is still alive and well and still lying!! A good example of pathetic lousy people who never get their karma back onto them!!

[@a.walters123]

RIP to Anatoli Boukreev, a true mountaineer and a literal heroic legend, who saved lives during this disaster and died from an avalanche on Annapurna the next year.

[@chrisl7839]

But he did not perform well as a guide BEFORE the storm hit. He was more interested in making the climb without bottled O2 for his own resume than in helping clients up and down the mountain as he was hired to do. If he had, perhaps more clients would have made it down the mountain BEFORE the storm hit.

[@stormtrooper9404]

@@chrisl7839Why do you think he would need a fourth summit for his resume 🤣 He already had a far tougher achievements in his book. Although if you read Toli.. he was not a guy who run for laurels, but for his intimate love of the mountains and the serenity they’ll give to him. And to say that he wasn’t good guide.. let me guess.. you had read the “Into the thin air” 😂 Am I right?

[@kc72186]

Great climber and terrible guide.

[@granthurlburt4062]

@@kc72186 Saved several lives. Was a good guide. No one else saved those lives.

[@granthurlburt4062]

@@chrisl7839 He was a good guide. He saved 4 lives. He would have been too exhausted to do so had he not rested in the tent.

[@EverestMystery]

For more fascinating and insightful stories on Everest and the mountains of the world, be sure to SUBSCRIBE and hit the bell button to be notified when the next video comes out. Click here: www.youtube.com/@everestmystery?sub_confirmation=1

[@rtqii]

I have watched several of your videos and I find them informative and entertaining. I took a break from work this evening and ate delivery at my desk and watched this. A friend of mine fell off the mountain in '82, and I have always been interested in events there. The '96 storm was epic.

[@EverestMystery]

@@rtqii thanks so much for taking the time to watch, I really appreciate it. I am wondering if your friend is Marty Hoey. That is still a story that resonates, and I didn't know her....but was just getting into the mountaineering thing around then. Thanks for sharing, and I hope you had a great dinner!

[@rtqii]

@@EverestMystery I worked housekeeping at Snowbird back in the 80's. I cleaned Marty's room. I had a terrible crush on her, but then, everybody did.

[@EverestMystery]

@@rtqii ah, yes....very understandable....

[@rtqii]

@@EverestMystery I was so broken up about it I finally contacted Jim Wickwire for some consolation, and we both cried on the phone.

[@wt6953]

Enjoyed this video. At 75yrs old cancer survivor with little activity, i am especially moved by your exhortation to "do something for someone and don't ask anything in return". God bless you and those you love. 🤗🙏

[@EverestMystery]

Thank you for watching and for taking the time to comment, I'm really glad you are here!

[@joanlongino5776]

agree with OP TY for encouraging the rest of us to do what we can when we can and look and listen for those opportunities 🎉

[@cdd4248]

This is what happens when you get entangled with someone that has NEVER heard the word NO.

[@davidhoward4715]

The guides, you mean?

[@TheHigherSpace]

That's not fair .. Scott wanted her on the summit, just like Rob wanted Doug on the summit .. It was their call after all .. If there were reports of them trying to turn people around then that's a different story ..

[@johngarland502]

@@TheHigherSpace they wanted the money .

[@THX5000]

VANITY fair

[@DonnaBrooks]

@@johngarland502 They already HAD the money from her. What they wanted was the publicity. Well, they got it & it was all negative. Sandy was a scapegoat. Rob Hall was responsible for his own death & Doug's. He abandoned Beck Wether after telling him to not go down the mountain until he returned. Why does no one accuse him of narcissism?

[@marylandflyer5670]

Good commentary. Fair. Russel Bryce would lecture his clients at base camp, telling them that he and the experienced guides will try to get you safely to the summit and back down, but you the client need to listen to the guides. If they tell you to descend, you descend. It’s not any guide’s job to die for you.

[@yelloworangered]

Hall and Fisher thought they had gotten control of Everest and could shuttle climbers up and down at will. The mountain proved to be far from tamed.

[@Chck314]

they were arrogant about everything, including being the best guides ever

[@kc72186]

Agreed, they were drowning in their own success on Everest and tried to capitalize on it. They both failed their clients that day.

[@DonnaBrooks]

@@Chck314 I don't understand all this contempt heaped on Sandy for her arrogance when, as you all point out, both Hall & Scott were arrogant & were thinking about building their business instead of getting their clients safely off the mountain. THEIR bad decisions were much more to blame for the deaths of their clients & themselves, but people don't like to blame the dead so Sandy's a convenient scapegoat.

[@jtfike]

@@DonnaBrooks yup, plenty of blame to go around. It was a meeting of arrogant people.

[@MarkCampanella-k9g]

@@DonnaBrooks She was a tourist, who wanted to be perceived as something different.

[@csabaspottle4765]

I like your truthful, honest videos.

[@GoodieWhiteHat]

I love your calm and clear assessment. I like that you suggest she is just not capable of really grasping the extent of the whole tragedy and she seems quite vacuous and self centred. I also agree that you can’t blame one subordinate as she was only doing what she had been allowed to do. She did defend Anatoli and Scott’s team against Jon K though. And she seemed on pretty good terms with Charlotte in the doco as they laughed about the needle. I have to agree - who cares about the coffee machine? It wasnt a big machine anyway, she just frothed up some milk powder to make it seem like cappuccino. The issues of her luxuries, or her inappropriate behaviour afterwards is not why people died. She did not demand to be short roped. Scott arranged that for her. And it wasn’t all the way to the top. She at least really does have a love of the mountains. Anatoli had a lot of misgivings in his writings about a number of people’s lack of fitness for the climb. Her fault is that of a lot of them there. They should not really have come or kept going. Each team was too slow as a team. Even Scott was exhausted from all his extra climbing and shouldn’t have attempted it. Anatoli ended up being the last man standing but he couldn’t do it all. Only Doug realised that he should turn back but sadly got persuaded to push on.

[@DonnaBrooks]

The tragic irony that the person who made the right decision was persuaded by his guide to make the wrong decision resulting in both their deaths & more severe consequences for Beck Wethers, at least. And who knows who else Rob may have helped if he had let Doug continue his descent & have descended himself?

[@AndriaBieberDesigns]

I mean, I hate to say this, but from all the documentaries I’ve watched on the 1996 episode. If she wasn’t there, I think it might’ve been a little different even with the storm. My problem is they had to tie the lines early and ditched protocol so she had extra help getting up the mountain. And another interview I saw with her she’s extremely arrogant.

[@Leone_510__]

It's not her fault they pulled people from setting ropes to help her.

[@sonder2164]

I agree, if she was not there it would have been different.

[@DonnaBrooks]

@@Leone_510__ First they accuse Sandy of creating a bottleneck. Then they accuse her of being behind & needing help to keep up. So which is it? It seems like people don't care about facts; they just want to scapegoat Pittman as if the 2 leaders of the tour companies had no responsibility for getting their clients safely off the mountain. So they "pulled people from setting ropes". I was just watching another video about the story based on 4 books written about it (including Anatoli's and Beck's books) and from what I remember, Scott's whole team, including Sandy, were waiting for 2 hours for Sherpas to put up ropes when the Sherpas thought the ropes had already been set. But it's much more satisfying to blame a wealthy, unlikeable socialite than something banal like miscommunication. It also doesn't make a good scene in a movie. "Let's watch something NOT happen!" Anatoli ended up discovering an older rope that had been left behind & was buried which they pulled up out of the snow & followed. But 2 hours had been lost & that was SCOTT'S fault, not Sandy's.

[@DonnaBrooks]

@@sonder2164 And you know this,- how? I think if Rob Hall had not been there, he & Doug wouldn't have died. Why doesn't anyone condemn him, not just for those deaths, but for the Asian woman who died, and for abandoning Beck Wethers, ordering him to just stand there & wait for hours in the Death Zone?? Why doesn't anyone blame Scott for the deaths of his clients?

[@vd1721]

The only blame lies with 1. The mountain/ weather 2. Leaders who ignored their protocols She sounds like an ego maniac and pure narcissist. But the team leaders are the ultimate authority on the mountain.

[@dt3802]

I've watched videos on her and read a few things. This is the first time I've heard she said about the two who saved her, which two gentlemen is that. That's disgusting to me.

[@ralphbooger4756]

well, maybe graverobbers peeling corpses of the ground and photographing their faces hoping to get payed is not the best source of this information... this guy likes to bend the truth!

[@miriamha970]

She also added “that’s what they get paid for”. Talk about a person who has no value of another’s life.

[@j.m.2022]

Sandy was helped in her descent by two different sets of at least two "guys". Her asking "which two" the interviewer was asking about makes perfect sense in that context.

[@cathyd74]

Did Sandy realize that she got so much help or did she think everyone else got the same treatment as her? The short roping, did she think that was normal to do? If you need to be short roped on the ascent, maybe you should turn around? 🤷‍♀️

[@ChardeeMacdennis339]

Charlotte Fox was my cousin 😊 I love hearing stories about her. She was such an a amazing woman ❤

[@EverestMystery]

Wow, thank you. I'm sorry for your loss...it must have been a big surprise. Thank you for watching and for taking the time to comment!

[@camilleinchicago]

I have always felt that Charlotte saved Hill Pittman’s life by promptly administering the dexamethasone injection when she collapsed on the slopes of Everest. It is very sad that she never so much as received a thank you.

[@davedennis6042]

@@camilleinchicago Pitman's reaction to that statement: "Thank WHO?"

[@ChardeeMacdennis339]

@@davedennis6042 yeah thahs such a bummer 🙁

[@ChardeeMacdennis339]

@@EverestMystery thank you! Yeah I’ve been loving these stories about all of these mountain adventures!! She was an amazing woman who had the ability to capture an entire room ❤️

[@robinputnam2569]

Thank you for all you research that you put in to your reports.

[@EverestMystery]

My pleasure! Thank you : )

[@sonder2164]

I absolutely believe if Sandy was not there many would still be alive. She exhausted alot of life saving resources.

[@eigleenalegri2664]

Ambition and poor decision making killed them. Poor organization skills of the expedition companies caused big problems such as ignoring turnaround time, management of oxygen tanks, and coordination of staffs

[@66bayouboy]

That's ridiculous to blame it on her. It was Scott and Rob's decision not to make people turn around at the 2:00 p.m. summit deadline. They are to blame

[@Wisdom-Nuggets-Tid-Bits]

Absolutely

[@cathyizzo7886]

@@66bayouboyin addition, Scott knew that his Sherpa should've been with Robs sherpa fixing ropes. He had no business telling his Sherpa Lop Sang to re direct and haul Sandy up the mountain. That was ludicrous. But Sandy Pittman leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

[@zarasbazaar]

It seems to me that anyone who is out of their element in that environment puts everyone else's safety at risk.

[@MLeibs]

Pittman is all about Pittman. She is seemingly unaware how self-centered she is. No humility or gratitude detected. I’ve read years of books and articles about 1996 on Everest. There are people like Pittman in all walks of life. Folks, learn to spot these people as early in life as possible; it will save you a heap of avoidable heartache and trouble.

[@bradsmith830]

ditto

[@ellebelle8515]

Sandy Pittman: "No heroes that night." This alone tells you all that you need to know about her narcissistic, cruel character. A lesson to take from this: Prior to any great challenge in life, spend a lot of time with and know the character of each person that you will venture forth together into the challenge- especially when danger and death is a clear possibility.

[@bradleygonzalez1160]

Well said. Great post

[@christianjones4497]

She has repeatedly and publicly thanked the people who helped her many, many times.

[@Yuan3986]

@@christianjones4497 But then why say "No heroes that night"?

[@christianjones4497]

@@Yuan3986 that statement is taken out of context.

[@Yuan3986]

@@christianjones4497 It's hard to justify that in any context.

[@missshroom5512]

I don’t remember the word Narcissist being around in 1996 but….the word fits this woman pretty well

[@vickicali]

Back then a narc still only meant a drug snitch. 😂

[@sisterpamop]

The word was around, but it wasn't in our face daily as it is now.

[@Tim_the_Enchanter]

People throw vague labels around much more freely now. Or maybe they always did, but we're much more aware of it now because of "social" media.

[@nisebiggs6572]

Grandiose narcissist

[@cdd4248]

Yes, it is currently phrase du jour- but this case fits. She is, as they say, is The Poster Child.

[@JJ-cf7nb]

It’s likely that Fischer instructed Lopsang Sherpa to get Pittman to the summit to ensure good publicity for his company. Lopsang ended up unable to both get the fixed lines in place and help Pittman. I think the blame lies squarely with Fischer.

[@Aaron-mc1xq]

I’m probably never going to climb a single mountain in my life, but this channel has me hooked, very fascinating stuff

[@thishappycrafter272]

This was a great video! Thanks so much for putting so much effort into it ❤

[@itllbesuzanarchy]

Wow. Sad that in her eyes, the 'team' seems to be comprised of everyone but the leader. I guess Scott wasn't on the 'team' because he wasn't a paying customer? Must be how she reconciles it all in her mind. Thank you for your excellent videos.

[@camokiebks]

Definitely a notable omission. Makes me wonder if she's so angry/traumatized that she doesn't say anything at all, or if there's an NDA, lots of reasons a wealthy clod might stay silent about something and let people assume the worst. Which, from the comment section, they're eager to do.

[@charlesmartin1121]

If an individual is short-roped by another climber, on part of the route to the top, should that even be counted as a legitimate summit?

[@Wisdom-Nuggets-Tid-Bits]

I was wondering the exact same thing.

[@alisonwilson9749]

I'd say no, myself. But I'm not a climber. However, at the very least, she ought to give credit to whoever helped her each time she talks about it. Which does not seem to be her style.

[@thegreencat9947]

No...I don't think so.

[@ralphbooger4756]

this video is a disgusting hit piece and you are a bunch of gullible fools! lol, she is to blame because her guide decided to short rope her, which resulted in the climbers in front getting stuck because that guide was supposed to fix the ropes for them and they were helpless without the ropes...??? how about it not counting if you rely on fixed ropes? or sherpas? oxygen? who even cares?!!

[@camlacasse3760]

Does anyone know just how she climbed the other mountains she has in her Mountaineering CV. Probably they carried her up those peaks as well. She is so self absorbed and ungrateful, it makes one read about her and dislike her intensely.

[@LeahJo13]

I met Sandy Hill Pittman at an ice festival in Ouray, Colorado. Not only did I speak with her but I had the opportunity to observe her at several presentations and events over the weekend. She left me with the impression that she had an over-inflated opinion of herself. It felt to me as if she lives in an alternate reality. No one loves Sandy Hill as much as Sandy Hill. She's the most oblivious person and thinks she is the most important person in the room. She makes sure everyone knows she's there and who she is but is very selective in who she speaks with. I met some INCREDIBLE and humble people that weekend (Conrad Anker and Adrian Ballinger to name a couple) but Sandy Hill fell short. She is the exact opposite of what the sport is all about.

[@yogachica117]

Yup. She hasn't changed.

[@justinsmith4562]

It’s not a sport.

[@LeahJo13]

​@@justinsmith4562 What would you rather me call it?

[@SuiGenerisAbbie]

@@LeahJo13 Did you give Pittman a piece of your mind when you spoke to her? I do hope so!

[@cyclonasaurusrex1525]

I sense that, if this had happened today, she’s the kind of person who would Instagram, TikTok, and livestream har way up the.mountain. She appears to be antithesis of seeking to confront and to accept one’s smallness.

[@DonnaBrooks]

Do you post photos and/or videos of yourself & your activities, meals, etc. on Facebook, Insta, or any other social media site?

[@cyclonasaurusrex1525]

@@DonnaBrooks Nope

[@NickOpenshaw-o6t]

We've all met people like sandy Pittman completely self absorbed with an unshakable belief in their own narrative. The big I am in spades. Getting her up there must have been a big pull to Scott Fischer and his team. Talk about finding out the hard way Thanks again Thom

[@bradleygonzalez1160]

Lots of people like that.

[@kerraptregolls4929]

I would call her ‘entitled’

[@ZanePrice-hd5gj]

@@NickOpenshaw-o6t She is a narcissist. No empathy, it's all about her.

[@tomdaly1010]

Love the blue hat and shirt combo my friend!! Well done!!

[@chancevonfreund9145]

Fantastic video but what a conceded person I've seen interviews of her and your right she never mentions it . She even makes it sound like she is a elite climber! Sad 🏔

[@adataylor6793]

You nailed everything about the true nature of who Sandy really was then and most likely still is Thom! I cringed when I read about her self-righteousness, selfishness, and spoiled brat behavior! It's her true identity on who she is! Men aren't the only ones who have a three "S" routine in the morning when they wake up! Lol She looks in the mirror and sees a halo! Everest summit success requires a team effort. She'd never had made it out alive without the efforts of porters, sherpas, the team and guides....if it wasn't for Char giving up her Dex with no hesitation, Sandy would have died! Imagine how deep her rabbit hole is by now when wonderful caring and peaceful people like you Thom continue to bring up her name! She should be ashamed and like you said....humble yourself and admit when you are wrong! Thank you so much for this....I didn't know half of what I learned about her today from your vid! 👍 ✌️ 🤗

[@lanacastillo49]

But to blame her for the tragedy? Thats quite a stretch she wasnt the only rich person there lets be totally honest, she wasnt a guide nor the lead of the expedition. Be objective. Yes she may not be a good person for all i care but to blame one person for the storm and the actions of the people in that expedition? Thats totally ridiculous

[@kcc-karenschroniccorner9432]

This is a fair and well balanced explanation of Sandy’s role in the events of 1996.

[@DonnaRoushall]

Yeah….Maybe she “ Wasn’t “ 100% to be blamed for the tragedy….. but her behavior at the restaurant is insensitive AT the least….but OUTRAGEOUS none the less. Plus the fact that she never gave credit to those that saved her life will forever be in my mind.

[@lanacastillo49]

I dont think this is fair or balanced, very skewed

[@lynch42o]

@@lanacastillo49 when someone uses the words “I think” what they’re really saying is “I don’t know”

[@Chrissy85308]

I think she should have learned to read room. I think if she would have given credit to the people that helped her and saved her life she would not have been demonized so badly. She wouldn't have been alive to be offensive if it wasn't for all of those people. Great video!

[@EverestMystery]

Thanks so much for watching....I always enjoy your insight on these stories

[@caromela2031]

@@Chrissy85308 she did give credit to the people that saved her though. She thanked many people multiple times over several years. This is evident through newspapers and articles from the time, please do some research.

[@ellenduebrynjulfsen3394]

Yes. This was a honest and really good video.

[@dondraper3871]

Bottom line - Was she a factor in the events and the loss of life on Everest? Yes and potentially a big one. Was she responsible? No. Is she someone I would like to go climbing with? Nope...

[@volvoman1096]

I‘ll take “How to spot a psychopath for $200 Alex”.

[@SWS1493]

😂😂

[@cdd4248]

Her entitlement and privileged self-righteousness were palpable.

[@craigscott8064]

maybe not a psychopath but absolutely a sociopath......as are most of the very wealthy...

[@elenavaccaro339]

@volvoman1096 Narcissist is the correct term, in the same cluster as psychopath and sociopath. The key is that she doesn't take any responsibility for her actions.

[@volvoman1096]

@@elenavaccaro339 But she does not give a rats ass about the individual who died trying to rescue her, That is where the psychopath trait comes in.

[@falllinemaniac]

I knew Sergei and Frannie, even climbed with them. When Fran said they got a permit for Everest I knew I was going to lose her. I never met Anatoli but they loved him like they loved me. I also met Charlotte, she was a tremendous human being that I'm forever grateful for knowing. Over the years the numbers of lost friends has become quite painful. Here's to everyone still breathing 🎉

[@lolitahaze02]

@@falllinemaniac felt the same when the pandemic hit lost a lot of friends only going to the Everest is intentional

[@denisedecker8276]

Wonderful Narrative, Thank you so much. Appreciate your unbiased commentary. Look forward to following more of your stories.

[@julianaweiser8512]

Thank you for your thoughtful tour into this story. To this day it stands as one of the most compelling stories that occurred on Everest. I too love Krakuer’s book and agree that Pitman had a large contribution to the way things played. If only she took a little accountability for her part… that would go a long way. I agree with you, it’s her attitude that is the problem. How tragic that Hall and Fischer were vying for top dog and as a result they both died that day.

[@DonnaBrooks]

Hall also was responsible for Doug Hansen's death & for Beck Wethers being abandoned on the mountain for hours waiting for Rob to return because Rob had told him not to descend without him, even when other people could have helped him down.

[@frankmiller95]

Very well done, insightful and compassionate analysis.

[@4034miguel]

I just saw Princess Chaterine video about her condition. The first thing she does is to thank gracefully to the medical team that made her surgery successful. They were doing their job and as you say, he humbly thanked them for what they did for her. So if a royal princess is capable of gratitude, it is incredible for me not be appalled, by the self centered, narcissism and lack of empathy of SP.

[@TheQueensWish]

There certainly is a huge gulf in the negative behaviors and self serving attitudes of narcissists and others.

[@birgitmelchior8248]

Princess Catherine is a classy person. Money can't buy class

[@lindasd7591]

Excellent presentation!!

[@calypso4554]

Not discussing the character of Sandy Pittman. But strongly dismiss the opinion that she was an unexperienced climber. She was a very experienced climber, better than some other members of the group.

[@EverestMystery]

I don't recall mentioning she was not experienced. I think she was experienced...although (and I didn't mention this) she wasn't self sufficient...nor was that a requirement of being a member of the Mountain Madness team. Further, she was far more qualified and experienced than many of those going to the mountain in this era.

[@denim_ak]

Your editing on this channel has come a long way. Very engaging video.

[@jandedick7519]

So happy KZbin made me aware of your channel! I was planning to do the trek to Everest and had actually thought I go with Rob Halls old company,and then I decided I would not be able to handle the cold. Really enjoying your videos on Everest.

[@EverestMystery]

I'm happy you found the channel, thank you for telling me! Adventure Consultants is a truly solid company, they are in the elite of the elite on the mountain. I'm glad you're enjoying the videos!

[@EmilyInDetroit1982]

@jandedick7519 Have you watched Ryan Mitchell's 5 hour Everest climb video? It's amazing. I had no idea there was so much effort put into acclimating yourself to the high altitude. His video makes you feel like you climbed everest with him.

[@christie210]

Really enjoyed your video. I remember well when this happened, and was always interested in the real story. I’ve been fascinated in Everest my whole life and this was so tragic. Wonderful overview and thank you for sharing.

[@jobis2414]

She summit’s six other major peaks so I’m not sure why everyone thinks she just came off of fifth avenue in New York and a Sherpa drug her all the way up. She wasn’t inexperienced and deserved that kudos. However if she didn’t honor anyone who helped her she deserves that disdain as well.

[@DonnaBrooks]

I agree. She may be ungrateful & narcissistic, but she was an experienced climber, more so than some of the other clients on the mountain that day.

[@halleck3]

There's a big difference between mountains like Kili and Aconcagua, and Everest. They're not even in the same ballpark.

[@anonz975]

FYI I saw an interview with Pittman last week in which she mentions her tiny 8" Cappuccino maker so she did have one.

[@Wisdom-Nuggets-Tid-Bits]

She is still alive??? You mean karma did not catch up yet????? Disgusting

[@nukeputin420]

​@@Wisdom-Nuggets-Tid-Bits That's a little extreme, there.

[@thegreencat9947]

She called the other people in the group...." my team". Bull

[@Wisdom-Nuggets-Tid-Bits]

@@nukeputin420 ok

[@davidjackson4916]

DISGUSTING "!!

[@MikkyTee]

Just discovered this channel & im hooked. Fascinating content!

[@EverestMystery]

It's great having you here, thank you!

[@redrocker1055]

Scott Fischer and Rob Hall were to blame in 1996 and will continue to be to blame. I'm sure both were great guys, but they were blinded by greed.

[@konradhunter1407]

IMO Jon Krakauer vilified Anatoli Boukreev in his for the sake of story telling. If I recall correctly Boukreev rescued all of his clients, whereas Krakauer left one of his teammates for dead twice, the second time because he didn’t bother to check on him in the morning. Just my perspective.

[@andreawitt3640]

@@konradhunter1407 Groom was the one who didn’t check on Beck in the morning, not Krakauer.

[@rogerlevy57]

Agree. Krakauer too is a selfish story writer, as well as a good climber.

[@melly7921]

You wanted Krakauer, completely exhausted, to go out in the blizzard and attempt a rescue? What an irresponsible idea

[@BoleDaPole]

Anatoli did

[@konradhunter1407]

@@melly7921 I didn’t say that at all.

[@bucksnake]

Is Pittman to blame? I would suggest that if she had not HAD to be short roped UP Everest, Lopsang would have set the ropes as planned and everybody would have reached the summit two hours earlier at around 1:00 as was planned. And they would have missed the storm that killed them. Look she could not climb Everest that day. She had to be pulled up the mountain for five hours and the Sherpa doing the pulling was carrying the damn ropes that 30 climbers were waiting for using up their oxygen in the death zone. And she was rescued three times during the descent where she would have unquestionably died. For me, it all comes down to a very important question. WHY did Lopsang abandon his rope setting duties to drag her up the mountain? Why knowingly place 30 other climbers at risk in the death zone ? Why put the whole summit attempt in jeopardy? She indicated she was being pulled up against her will, which no one believes for a second. Lopsang said that Fisher did not ask him to short rope her. There is only one explanation. Pittman had to reach the summit both personally and professionally. A decision was made and she and Lopsang made it. They were willing to put everyone else at risk. Just because you are given an opportunity, does not mean you are absolved of the consequences if you take it. She wasn’t given the keys to the car, nor was she driving, but if she had NOT been in the car in the back seat, the others would have avoided the crash that killed them. So is she to blame. Yes she is. Just an opinion. Respectfully.

[@EverestMystery]

Good analysis, I appreciate your taking the time to walk through it. You make many good points, thank you

[@melindahall5062]

That’s the bottom line. No ropes to the top due to Ms Hill-Pittman put everyone way behind. It didn’t have to happen.

[@kamakaziozzie3038]

From all available information I have been able to locate, I believe you are correct sir.

[@gregorymichael6182]

Huge credit to Anatoliy Bukryeev ! What a courageous and dedicated man , who put his life on the edge to save others ! People underestimate his part in this expedition… RIP brave mountaneer !

[@DonnaBrooks]

People like to condemn him, too, for not helping clients up & down the mountain, saying that he wouldn't have had to attempt such a daring rescue if he had done his job as a guide earlier instead of ascending without oxygen & descending so quickly ahead of the others. People just LOVE to condemn people for situations their lazy, comfortable asses will never face. [Edited to correct a typo.]

[@lbjr777]

@@DonnaBrooks Hate to tell ya but Anatoly is the sole reason Scott died that day. Had Scott not been forced to trek from camp II to base and back overnight he would have been quicker to summit and descend.

[@cattymajiv]

Beck Weathers was left for dead THREE TIMES, yet as the ultimate gentleman he never laid blame, but Pittman is an evil narcissist who caused people to die, then laughed at their memories. She deserved the fate that they got.

[@marysusa6985]

Not sure if you saw 1996 Disaster · STORM OVER EVEREST · PBS Documentary, but Sandy is interviewed and acknowledges many of the things you spoke about in your video. Great watch.

[@antyant]

Sandy was out of touch but IMHO doesn't deserve any blame for the tragedy. I think she inadvertently made herself an easy target by using her exposure and wealth to try to get ahead of the story, but handling it very poorly. The straight up facts is that she was part of Mountain Madness, where only Scott Fischer died because HE was running behind. Scott and Sandy had not interacted at all the entire day besides passing each other while Sandy was on the way down and Scott was on the way up - determined to tag the summit even though it was already late. Yes, Sandy was short-roped and needed extra gas and an adrenaline shot, but the people who helped her all survived and her group remained among the faster ones on the mountain that day. She was also far from the only one who needed help. Yasako Namba also collapsed and Beck Weathers needed to be short-roped on the way down due to his vision issues. However, since Yasako died and Beck was gravely injured, they don't get vilified. As much as I'd hate to say it, it was Doug Hansen's blind ambition that kept both Rob Hall and Andy Harris near the summit way later than they should've been leading to the death of all 3. However, Doug gets the luxury of going down in history as a martyr who "died for his love of the mountain." Tying up both Rob Hall and Andy Harris also left Mike Groom as the only guide for the other Adventure Consultants clients, of whom both Yasako Namba and Beck Weathers were abandoned leading to their fates. The Mountain Madness group was WAY more experienced than the Adventure Consultant group... yes Sandy was not elite but IMHO she was an experienced mountaineer. No matter how rich you are conquering the other six highest continental peaks are cold, difficult, and miserable tasks. Sorry for the wall of text, but it's annoying to me when people are unjustifiably scapegoated because they're perceived as unlikable. Dislike her if you want, but it's unfair to put any weight of the tragedy on her.

[@machineofrage]

One line that immediately grabbed my attention was that she "hooked up" with someone on the mountain, and that's a big "No no". I wonder if anyone can clarify this. Is it because Mt Everest is considered to be a sacred place by some? Or is there another reason? I'm just a simple lobster fisherman from Nova Scotia, I have no idea of what proper etiquette may be on the mountain.

[@EverestMystery]

Thank you for watching! Into Thin Air describes how the Sherpas don't like climbers having sex on Mount Everest, since it is believed to anger the mountain. In 2016 there was a case of one of our sherpa staff having relations with someone and he was run off the mountain and literally left the business altogether. It was a huge disruption and caused a big stir. Ultimately, it's deemed to be very disrespectful, and their beliefs are deeply ingrained.

[@machineofrage]

@EverestMystery I assumed that's what the situation was. Thanks for clarification! I have no aspirations to ever climb a mountain, but I do enjoy your content very much!

[@dt3802]

​@@EverestMysteryThank you for the explanation. I assumed it was because one needs to be concerned for themselves and not the person they 'hooked up' with too. Adds more danger for all.

[@ClarkBK67]

Kinda tracks that she disrespected the local customs but showed up at the photo shoot having appropriated the local fashionable headdress.

[@EverestMystery]

@@machineofrage I appreciate you being here, thank you!

[@Rurik8118]

Great work Thom ! Always appreciated. Dhanyabaad 🙏🏼 Kurt 🇨🇦

[@ThomasHojstrom]

Great upload. Always very informative and interesting. You are such a warm person even when you “criticising” someone.

[@ianclark2665]

I smoke two packs a day and drink a bottle of Scotch before lunch. I intend to pay sherpas to carry me up Everest. Why? Because it's there! I'm entitled to do it because I'm rich and I need something to brag about at my golf club.

[@The.Original.Potatocakes]

Might as well have the Sherpa haul up your golf clubs so you can drive a golf ball off the top of Everest. 😂

[@vickiedouglas401]

great video about the year I started watching things on Everest. My sister did a trek to base camp and got me hooked. She called me when the news started coming about the deaths. So I read into thin air a few times and think he did an amazing job under such conditions. I especially like the way he describes Beck Weathers misadventure and miraculous survival. Sandy Pittman seems to fit the bill for Asperger's which is a very high performing type of autism. They cannot read social cues and have no clue about it. Some have genius level gifts. I've known one and he was frustrating as can be. The mysteries of the brain. So far as blame it's a concept I've decided to give up. I'm tired of slander and the pointing fingers. But I can honestly say I think all of them or most of them played their part in this scenario. She should never have been up there. I just shake my head when I see the lines we've seen getting longer every year. One can't help but wonder what the future will bring. I enjoy your videos.

[@jwalkerC21]

"So far as blame it's a concept I've decided to give up". more if not everyone should consider this.

[@surrealistgirlx]

Her behavior points more to someone with a narcissistic personality disorder. All of her actions were self-serving and self aggrandizing. I have autism so I get your viewpoint and can definitely understand your analysis. I stand by your right to have a valid theory. I've read articles and watched interviews. She has a level of entitlement which is reflective of her place in the world and her life. I've met people on par with her who are kind and down to earth. She saw the sherpas and guides as "the help". She never even mentioned the names of the people who died. As noted in the video she did not see the tremendous sacrifices people made for her; they were just doing their jobs. And that's a pretty crappy attitude.

[@CPE1704TK5]

It’s narcissism. These things imo come in round the edges in extremities but soon become amalgamated.

[@vickiedouglas401]

so sad isn't it? @@surrealistgirlx

[@alisonwilson9749]

@@surrealistgirlx I do get a little fed up of medicalisation of everything. It's just as possible, I'd say more so, that she is a selfish, self-centred, ungrateful wretch, and knows exactly what she is doing. I know people with severe autism who work incredibly hard to try to work out other people's feelings, and to review events afterwards so they can make amends if they have misread things so that they don't hurt others. She seems to be able to connect easily enough with people when she wants to.

[@Evilsivle77]

Lopsang would have been able to save Scott if he wasn't so tired from dragging her stuff up the mountain.

[@Chck314]

I don't think that's accurate. According to Krakauer's book, FIsher had exhausted himself and couldn't move, even the strongest climber/sherpa can't carry someone like that in those conditions, the storm was as bad as it gets in May on Everest, but yes, Pittman was a contributor to the disaster.

[@EverestMystery]

This is such a fascinating angle to the story. My wife has asked me to do a video on Lopsang. Perhaps that would be an interesting one.

[@stormtrooper9404]

@@EverestMystery Loopsang is long gone sadly… Not just that, but in his short few months after Everest he doesn’t left many interviews or his story besides the well known tapes and a few telephone conversations that were not even transcrypted! Not much to dig there sadly… Only one thing is sure, that Loopsang never forgive himselfs and carried the burden of guilt until his death.

[@DonnaRoushall]

@@EverestMystery I tried to vote twice for this statement…!😉….. I would love to see a video of him….. Just “ maybe” it could bring a different angle to the whole mess…

[@LiveToFly-Br]

@@Chck314 Lopsang was hired and under the orders of Scott. Scott should have ordered him to go up to ahead to fix the ropes (and as far as we know he did so). Somehow Lopsang decided (or was ordered by Scott) to drag Sandy up the hill instead of going ahead to take care of the ropes. And the consequences everybody knows. Who is to blame? For me, Scott was the leader and the boss.

[@wyomingadventures]

Nobody should blame her for others' deaths. That's my opinion. She did have mountain experience before Everest. She tried climbing Everest before that trip. She has done the 7 summits. I think it was 1994 that she climbed with David Breshears and Chad Lowe. I love John's books. I've read so many people's books of that day by others who were there that day. It really is interesting hearing everyone's thoughts on what happened that day. This is a topic that will never be forgotten. Charlotte Fox's interviews after this I found very interesting. I do think Hill wouldn't have survived without others helping her. She definitely made many mistakes afterward. She should have been very thankful for people helping her. I have to agree with you it's not her fault. But yeah everyone needs to take responsibility for their own actions.

[@louisduplessis2075]

The problem is with her totally blind self centered behavior.

[@BarbaraFarmer-tu6bj]

She needed to much help. Taki g time and resources from others. That's my opinion

[@Unfluencer]

multiple accounts have described her as being practically carried to the top. shes a fake climber.

[@wyomingadventures]

@Unfluencer nobody can carry another person up Everest. When you can reply with something sensible I will respond.

[@patrick4594-y7u]

Surely it wasn't zero effect. Certainly the pressure and distractions of supporting her and not turning back had some effect.

[@theworldisavampire3346]

I dont care for Jon Krakauer. Sandy Pittman was an accomplished climber & Jon really portrayed her as a thoughtless, vapid heiress that was nothing short of extra weight on the team. Jon himself lay in a sleeping bag, refusing to assist once it was apparent that many were wandering lost in that fatal storm. He had no business casting any stones. RIP Anatoli & Andy Harris, REAL heros of that tragic day & night on Mt Everest.

[@bradleygonzalez1160]

Whoa. Never heard or read that.

[@rogerlevy57]

I agree with you, John's book made great reading but on reflection it seems he went out of his way to defame her. I note with you that he didn't help with the rescue, nor did he look in on Becks, so it seems that he is also a selfish person seeking fame.

[@VoiceOfVoiced]

Great analysis here, thank you. I've seen the "Storm Over Everest" documentary more than once and a couple of other pieces on the 1996 disaster, and Sandy Pittman/Hill comes across as complacent for her part in slowing others down. In the "Storm Over Everest" documentary she is just included as one of the many people interviewed, and never mentions any remorse for why she went on the mountain when obviously she should never have been there. In other programs, she declined to comment about being short-roped on the mountain. Your piece here is interesting because it provides yet further insight into her seeming complacency and seeming wish to shy away from any part or responsibility in the disaster, which for sure she seems to have had.

[@NoPitBullLeftBehind]

I think Jon Krakauer is definitely more dishonest in his telling of what happened and where he was pointing the finger at everyone else and trying to claim his innocence as well. John said at one point he was fixing lines on the Hillary Step and the Mountain Madness team was being impatient and "up his butt". Scott's photo taken around 1:00 p.m. that day of all the hikers around the summit and especially the Hillary Step totally debunks that. John was already way past the Hillary Step closest to the summit with two others I believe, then there were 3 climbers about 10 yards past the Step, Sandy was at the top of the Hillary Step not on a short rope and no one probably within 20 feet of her or more. Yasuko Namba was right at the bottom of the Hillary Step with a couple people, and the mountain madness team probably 15 yards behind her. There have also been multiple other inconsistencies in his story as well. I'm not saying Sandy was perfect, but some who are pointing fingers who were there that day also need to take accountability and most importantly be honest.

[@michaellockett1631]

Great video I love your honest opinion on it 👍 I've seen videos on her before! Her lack of empathy is unreal she as so many narcissistic traits. To say are team when there your guides and your saviours and saved your life is a total disgrace for the men who went above and beyond hats off to them 👏👏

[@peach7210]

15:23 "Owning your own crap is one of the most incredible qualities in a human being." AMEN!!! Yes. Exactly. Accountability. Humility.

[@2708dragon]

I've read Into Thin Air four times and attended a short lecture by one of the climbers there on that tragic day. No doubt in my mind that Anatoli behaved like a legend. I was deeply sorry to hear of his death the following year. In addition, hauling someone up a mountain who had no business to be there (Doug Hansen I think) was an unfortunate mistake by Rob Hall that probably cost both their lives. I'm glad you spoke kindly of Into Thin Air as it's a compelling but deeply sad read.

[@karylmorgan7320]

@2708dragon krakauer portrayed himself as braver than he was in reality. I know climbers that can't stand him and claim he lied about himself. It was fascinating book but I've read other of his books that have falsehoods and inaccurate info in them.

[@drlangattx3dotnet]

I was a guide for many years. Hall and Fisher were destroyed by human factors. Their decisions, which were supposed to keep everyone safe, were too much affected by their desire to summit their clients for status and money in the burgeoning Everest guide business. Professional guides were/are reluctant to take a side against fellow guides because it has a tendency to hurt the guide business and helps no one. Behind the scenes, sometimes, there are lawsuits that get settled quietly. Saw this exact type situation occur in the early 2000's. The lay public usually hovers outside such informed analyses and sometimes, in a sensational way, blames someone like Sandy Hill for the tragedy. It is much easier and more exciting to balme an unlikable socialite. "We have paved a Yellow Brick Road to the summit!" Who said that? Hill as the cause? Ridiculous, despite the somewhat distasteful aspects of her story. Also, she was not inexperienced. SHE WAS NOT INEXPERIENCED. Any more than other clients. There may be blame for others, but guides are in charge. Maybe Krakauer should have guided Weathers down to camp. Yes? No? Should he have gotten up from his tent to help mount a rescue to the stranded clients? What did he say in the moment? The whole thing turned into a clusterfuck. Sandy Hill is a terrific oblect for abuse. This analysis is done very well and I am glad for the opportunity to vent my opinions. Thanks and I look forward (I think) to a reply.

[@Nephthys-ness]

The reply you sought. Sorry for lateness. Hi, Sandy-fan, your comments bring salient reasons to not starF**k your way to Nature's Nadir. Desire for fame and a Mountain free of Mercies do not negotiate. Not-inexperience teaches this. One climbs to climb another day. The Verified Experienced who perished could not fathom a life where they had (albeit, perhaps knowingly / commercially) allowed mal-objectives to fester. And, instead of whining, begging and profiting; they chose to do their utmost to endevour to save = knowing every ticking minute in the death zone was EXACTLY that. They made a choice to preserve their name in noble effort, at the expense of their life. They perished for their mistakes. Their eternal silence will always speak louder than Red Carpet Clothes, blithe silence and valor theft. Sandy was not-inexperienced in cheapening hardships. "Krakauer should have (sic) gotten up from his tent" ?? What? So Krakauer was lazily napping and abnegated his (because EXPERIENCED) necessity to go rescue a Short-Roped, Book-Dealed, continuously-collapsing Entitlement's victims from the bottlenecks which she, your hero - the aforementioned "Not-Inexperienced" - kept creating?? Bottlenecks which caused a/descents an ultimate tragic lateness. Sandy lay down bc she expected - prima facia as she received - aid. Sandy did not collapse to pass: she collapsed to get rescued. Everyone was in the death zone but her. Yes, she suffered the effects of it and the storm - but she did not have the mens rea mindset to truly summit. Maybe she was not the only one - however, they do not live to have their stories "narrated". These Mountains ask no quarter and give none. Sandy asked all. I'm sure she still does. She is part of the chain of destruction - at the very very least. There but for the grace of ....

[@Chck314]

she WAS a contributor, at least in small part. Anyone who's actions slowed the "queue." that day was part of the problem. I agree that she gets too much blame. That storm was going to be a problem even if everything went to plan.

[@DonnaBrooks]

I love your comment. I could never understand the contempt heaped on Sandy while no one ever mentions Rob Hill's disastrous obsession with getting Doug Hansen to the summit. He seems to have forgotten that the leader's true goal is to get everyone off the mountain alive. I can live with failure & disappointment. I can't live with being dead. Hill abandoned Beck Wethers & got himself & Doug killed. Yet people don't want to criticize him. Why? Because he left behind a wife & child? All the more reason to not ignore your own rules re the hard turnaround time. And is it true that Doug had been headed DOWN the mountain when Rob convinced him to attempt the summit? If so, that was just a stunningly stupid decision. Also, why does no one condemn Krakaeur for leaving Beck on the mountain when Beck asked him for help? Oh, that's right... because they only know the story from Krakauer's book & the movie based on it & things they've heard from OTHER people who have only heard Krakauer's account, and they jump on the scapegoat bandwagon.

[@DonnaBrooks]

Her name was Sandy Pittman, not Sandy Hill, but you're correct that she was more experienced than many people who have climbed Mt. Everest.

[@drlangattx3dotnet]

BTW Did Scott have a big ball of hashish in base camp? There are people who dispute some of Krakauer's story.

[@lyndsayreed2169]

you are such a kind & empathetic guy for your generous analysis. it is soo easy to get outraged by her comments/actions & you were so level-headed & willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. seeing the way you think genuinely inspiring me to be more careful about being judgmental. thank you ❤

[@cappy2282]

When i first read about Everest i was critical of Sandy but she was (by most accounts) a competent climber. I don't think she deserves any blame. She may be terrible...but she didn't cause the tragedy

[@Lvnshyrn07]

Im really glad I watched this after watcing another video about this. Its good to have both sides. Thank you.

[@EverestMystery]

I'm very glad you watched, thank you!

[@gobeyondtheedge]

Narcissism is not only incurable, but it typically leaves an incredible trail of personal and professional damage and in this case death.

[@maryrutten3387]

There were many mistakes that day. Sandy was struggling and the Sherpa short roped her for awhile. How long , do you know ? I do no but it wasn’t all the way to the top. Why did the Sherpa do this? Might he been instructed by Hall to help out climbers who might struggle? We don’t know that do we? There were some serious mistakes and decisions made that day that cost lives. I don’t hear anyone blaming Rob for Doug’s death. Doug was struggling and wanted to stop but Hall wanted him to get to the summit and pushed him on. Hall knew they were well past the turn around time. He knew he had instructed Beck to sit tight in the death zone. Yeah Rob also lost his life but he was the guide and experienced climber and both died because of Halls decision. So who is blaming Hall? What if Scott trying to help out all his team and taking a climber back down and then going back up. He was all over the place and he became exhausted. You can’t do all that stuff and that altitude even if you are in the best of shape. So tell me again how Sandy is to blame? Yeah you read about how she is this spoiled socialite and she brought all this useless stuff. She did hire and pay for those men that took her stuff up there. Besides I don’t have any idea what behind why she took those things. I wasn’t there. All we know is what we have read, not than any of that is bias, couldn’t be. There is absolutely no reason to blame one person for the tragedy that happened that day. There were many mistakes made and bad decisions made plus a horrendous storm that all contributed to this tragedy. Stop trying to put the blame all on a person that has been made to look like a villain because she was this socialite who perhaps had her priorities messed up. This tragedy did not happen because she brought a coffee machine and a TV and it is no reason to put all the blame on her !

[@billboyd03]

Howdy, I just wanted to mention that I found your channel today, and I enjoy it. Your methodology in reporting a fairly niche topic is engaging. I have also been impressed with some of your interactions with a hostile commenter. Thanks for creating this channel.

[@OtherBlueFae]

I agree with you that Sandy did have a hand in “digging her own grave” as it were when it came to her public perception during and following the accident. She’s not a perfect person, but to try and put the blame of other people’s deaths on her is unfair. I think there is a certain level of misogyny at play, being that she is a woman and is seen as some frivolous socialite buying her way onto big mountains. I do think she should have put her ego aside and acknowledged from the jump the fact that Anatoli and Neil saved her from certain death. When something horrible like this happens, people are too quick (in my opinion) to ascribe villain and hero titles on people rather than just taking it as a terrible tragedy and a lesson for future climbers.

[@shep68]

Misogyny has nothing to do with how people react to her story. She’s a classic narcissist who lacks empathy, compassion and basic human dignity. That is why she’s a “villain”.

[@sisterpamop]

Thank you for making sense of the Sandy Pittman situation on Mount Everest. Her personality did nothing to endear her to others along with her sense of narcisstic entitlement. At the same time, she did not cause the disaster of 1996, but contributed to it as did many others on the mountain. Overall, there were too many weak climbers to be attended to. Sexual impropriety can not be excused, nor can she be excused for not expessing gratitude. It is never too late to seek forgiveness and make amends to the best of her ability.

[@EverestMystery]

Yes, I agree with your thoughts. Sometimes people are their own worst enemies. I don't believe she ever intended ill will on anyone, and to be honest, loves the people she loves just like we all do. If that storm hadn't arrived, we might never have heard her name....

[@rebelbelle1388]

I think the 1996 disaster happened because of many reasons: the failure to secure the ropes, the kid glove handling of Pittman, the miscommunication between Fischer and Boukreev, Hall and Fisher's hubris, the push to get important clients to the top, and not respecting the turn-around time that was supposedly set in stone. Combine those failings with a massive storm on the highest mountain in the world, and there will be deadly consequences. I believe Pittman played a part, but is not responsible for all 8 deaths that day.

[@EverestMystery]

Thank you for your insights, extremely well put!

[@lbjr777]

Ironically, had the storm not come along every body would have made it down safe.

[@msmew4371]

UM, Being a girl From the NOLS and Climber Community in Jackson Hole....You are Exceptional Brother.

[@EverestMystery]

This ranks up there with the most excellent of comments I've ever seen - thank you : )

[@wetwingnut]

Sandy was not an eleven year old. She wss a fully mature adult who publicly held herself out as an experienced and knowledgeable climber. Her actions before the disaster can be forgiven as hubris and poor judgement - but her behavior AFTER shows how truly dangerous and narcissitic her nature actually was.

[@energeticsoulhealer888]

Sandy Pittman was like an instagram/tik toker wayyyy before her time. She's the OG. They all seem to be self absorbed and disconnected from reality, just like she was. That's certainly not the trail I'd wish to blaze....

[@plushcat716]

Absolutely a malignant narcissist, no concern for anyone, even those who died...

[@MarcCano-m9u]

What a piece of s**t, this woman is .RIP the climbers who died.

[@jaymanitu8421]

Everest Mystery, It would be nice to hear your thoughts on the Ali Sadpara, JP Mohr & John Snorri sad accident / death & what you think really happened to these men on K2. Thank you.

[@EverestMystery]

That is a story that I have often considered. There are many moving parts and also the element of the other team that made the summit, leaving aspects of it open for speculation. Your having mentioned gives me pause to dig back into the story.... Thank you!

[@Jodie4582]

Appreciate your perspective on Pittman. You may already completed a video regarding why Anatoili Boukreev was even available to save Pittman but if you haven’t I’d love to hear your perspective. I’m new to your channel and now a subscriber.

[@EverestMystery]

Thanks for being on the channel, it's great having you here! Definitely, a video about Anatoli must happen. I'm glad you found the channel :)

[@Tyler_Kent]

⁠@@EverestMysteryyes, please do a Boukreev video. I wrote a rambling reply which I deleted as it dawned on me: he knows all this. I have read a number of Everest books but had not read Boukreev's until a couple weeks ago. It was actually a comment under one of your videos which made me realize I wasn't as informed as I thought. I'm very glad I read it and came away with immense respect for the man. I've subscribed to your channel. You do great work.

[@b.p.879]

I had the great pleasure of attending Dr Neil Beidleman's speaking/slideshow tour about Everest, and he was really great to listen to. Thanks for rekindling this memory.

[@shooter7a]

The reason that so many died was competition between Hall and Fisher. Everest is not a place for competition. It is a place for teamwork and cooperation. Both Hall and Fisher made terrible decisions. Both violated their own rules (turnaround times....) to get clients to the summit. THAT (plus bad luck/weather) caused the deaths.

[@lightbearer.94]

Subscribed Sir! I Like Your Videos & What You're Doing With The Channel. Keep Em Coming Man. Salute!

[@EverestMystery]

It’s great having you here, thank you very much!

[@jazamaraz8029]

Why did Lopsang short rope Sandy up the mountain? Was he told by Scott Fischer to do that? If so, who did Fischer expect to set the ropes? Neither of the other two guides were assigned to set the ropes. Or did Pitman herself convince Lopsang to forgo his rope setting duties and help her up the mountain? Or did Lopsang make the decision on his own? The consequences that resulted from that one fateful decision were catastrophic. As I see it, the person who made that decision is the Uncle Joe who gave the keys to the car to the 11 year old.

[@kevinhsu8184]

My understanding is that Scott Fischer had asked Lopsang to short roped her up to summit because she was literally blogging for NBC her way up Everest and had she gone up and came down successfully without all the drama and tragedy, you can imagine it will bring tons of business for Scott. While Sandy should have climbed her way up without being short roped, at the end of the day, it was Scott’s decision. I don’t know if Sandy would had made it without being short roped to summit. By the time she climbed Everest in 1996, she had already done 6 of the 7 tallest summits at every continent so I had to assume she’s fairly seasoned climber. She was one of the few people on that team that had done 8000 meter climbs before. At the end of the day, I think it was Scott’s greed that got the best of him. Sorry to say that about a dead person but from all the accounts I read, that’s my conclusion.

[@henrikk2713]

The most important question & it seems never to be fully answered. Have anyone thought that Sandy also had sex with Lopsang in order to get him to ditch his other duties & assist Sandy as much as needed? :) Cuz normally sherpas are not regarded from disregarding important assignments such as the critical setting up of ropes so would need a severe persuading...These days of course it's too common to have not only 1 but maybe 3 personal sherpas to drag one up to summit & down again of course but back in 1996 I think not however?

[@kamakaziozzie3038]

Did you try to find Sandy’s dispatches on the WayBack Machine? The internet is forever. People can scrub articles from their websites but once you have put something online it cannot be completely erased

[@DonnaBrooks]

Did the Internet Archive exist at the time? Google certainly wasn't around then. Yahoo! might have been. I got my Yahoo! account in the spring of '97.

[@misarthim6538]

I read "Into thin air" about 10 years ago and I devoured it in two days. And predictably I loved it and I've seen it exactly as described - as brutal but honest account of the events. But then I revisited it couple of times and I started to come around and now I actually really dislike what Krakauer did there. He blew these peoples' private lives wide open and did it without any consent and mostly without them even knowing he's gonna be there. I was thinking how his article, which he was commissioned to write, would look like if there was no disaster and I bet it would be still be 'Amateurs on Everest'. His self deprecation has little value for me if it's used, as is the case here, to give himself permission to point at failures and being judgemental of others. He was there to write about Hall and his company, not the other clients. That he felt entitled to do so anyway doesn't picture him for me in best light as well.

[@Paul-ew5st]

His judgement was correct amateurs have no business on Everest.