More than 200 mountaineers have died while trying to ascend or descend Mount Everest. Extreme weather conditions and low air pressure make chances small of surviving on the world’s tallest mountain summit. Miraculously, in 2006, Australian mountaineer Lincoln Hall survived a night alone near the top of Mount Everest.
After reaching the top of Everest, Hall developed cerebral edema, a severe form of altitude sickness that causes the brain to swell and leads to hallucinations, crippling lethargy, and other symptoms. About two hours later, while descending the summit, Hall collapsed. His sherpas tried to revive him, but after several attempts, they saw no signs of life. They assumed he was dead and left him behind.
Twelve hours later, a team of ascending climbers found Hall at over 28,000 feet, still alive. He was weak and frostbitten but sitting up, his jacket unzipped. He greeted them by saying, “I imagine you are surprised to see me here.”
Hall had survived the night without food, gloves, an oxygen bottle, or a sleeping bag. He later said he resolved not to die because his family was waiting for him at home. Hall lost eight fingertips and a toe from frostbite.