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I'm really no expert on super high altitude climbing but I'm not sure there are any climbers strong enough to help somebody stuck above 8,000m. It's just not possible. I can only think of two climber mounted rescues on Everest, none above camp 3. I mean, helicopters can't even fly at that altitude.
The way I see it is that no mountaineer should climb if they have the expectation that somebody else will risk their life to save them. You're on your own.
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You could only enter the syndicate if you have the strength to support a fellow climber with injuries.
Yeah I think you are making an assumption that rescue is actually possible. I suspect it isn’t.
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I reckon it is a disgrace to us all that this phenomenon exists in its current state.
As somebody who wouldn't walk past somebody in trouble and wouldn't take part in such a circus in the first place, I reckon I'm not going to feel disgraced by any of the idiots involved. You're having a bit of a "disgusted of Tunbridge Wells" moment, even if the subject matter is a little more elevated than normal for the Express.
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Stonehedge
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@starfish&coffee
It's up to the Nepalese authorities how they want to do it, but I feel the whole Ayn Rand spirit could be firmly rooted out if one set one's mind to it. To get a climbing permit should involve entering into some sort of a syndicate with legal obligations to carry extra oxygen, radios etc in case of emergencies. You could only enter the syndicate if you have the strength to support a fellow climber with injuries. There could be legal obligations to abandon your summit attempt if you saw a person in distress, and potential criminal persecution if you continue to the top after encountering a dying climber like Ms Shuttlesworth admitted to doing.
As for bragging rights, I think having taken part in such high pressure team work would be much more admirable.
The wikipedia article on David Sharp has plenty of details. There is a lot of truth in the argument that he brought his misfortune on himself, so I have some understanding towards those who effectively declined to help him, or only offered a few minutes worth of consolation before moving on. But it is also a fact that a man sat dying for hours while up to 40 other climbers passed right by him. I reckon it is a disgrace to us all that this phenomenon exists in its current state.