Sharp had enough experience to know what he was getting into and the price of failure. In the climbing community the moral question is not about risk and rescues. The question is whether one should participate if dependent on the Sherpas and guides to shoulder most of the risk and labor. The vast majority of Everest climbers are ego driven peak baggers who wouldn't get past the icefall on their own.
The Sherpas fix rope through all the technical ground and crevasses and preplace the camps and carry the loads. This makes it possible for otherwise unprepared people to engage in a sport because other people take the major risks for them. Real climbers enjoy being self sufficient in unforgiving environments. That is a major part of the appeal of playing in the big mountains.
mike r
I've read this, too. Everest used to be teams of experienced mountaineers. Now it's decent climbers who pay a guide to do all the hard work. It's not a "team", it's a leader and a bunch of followers.
