Many say that Everest has been climbed so many times that people tend to brush off the danger. It's still a very dangerous mountain, largely because of the altitude but also avalanches and other factors. I've read more than once that the average climber up there isn't nearly as well prepared as those who attempt lesser known mountains.
somebody is marketing an adventure?
Of course.......that's certainly part of it. If you followed mountaineering, particularly the Himalayas and the quest for the 14 summits over 8,000 meters, the 1996 tragedy was an eye-opener. Two of the most qualified mountaineers in the world died while leading separate expeditions on Everest. Rob Hall and Scott Fischer were among the very best. Without rehashing the entire episode, at the very least it was instructive in showing that minor mistakes, oversights, and omissions are cumulative. The margin of error is minuscule.
RE: Marketing.....and Krakhauer's book "Into Thin Air" about the 1996 tragedy
Fischer was the one who first suggested that Krakauer write an article for Outside Magazine saying that Krakauer could make the climb because they'd "built a yellow brick road to the summit." Fischer lobbied for Krakauer to make the climb, and originally he was supposed to go with Fischer's guide service. However, plans changed when Rob Hall offered the magazine a better deal. Initially, Fischer was upset at the switch, but when Krakauer encountered him on the mountain, Fischer bore no grudge.
