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Howard
PhilDAS
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.