[mp05]

I'm curious where things tend to go wrong with the inexperienced people? Are we talking a general lack of fitness or just little/no real mountaineering skills?

I feel like I've heard of some guys that did a 12 week program to prepare them, but don't recall the outcome. You certainly can't fake a lifetime of strong cardio fitness.

[rgmerk]

Both of the above, but also your body's ability to adapt to high altitude, which isn't just a question of general cardiovascular fitness.

If you build up to climbing Everest more gradually you find this out in places and at altitudes where you can be saved.

That said, Everest is an extremely dangerous place even for experienced mountaineers, though it's not the most dangerous . The second highest peak, K2, is so dangerous that roughly one person dies for every eight or so who reach the summit.

[ghxst]

I would imagine a lack of experience with gear and not knowing how to react to sudden weather changes might be 2 big reasons why things go wrong. These environments are not forgiving when panic sets in or you make a long series of minor mistakes, many stories like these when it comes to scuba diving as well (especially cave diving).