Many experienced, professional climbers gather for an annual attempt on the mountain during its most mild month. In recent years, greater numbers of inexperienced, amateur climbers have joined them. For a price, an amateur can join an expedition led by experienced climbers and achieve their dream of climbing Everest. Even the most experienced climbers risk their lives when they climb Everest, however. The inexperienced climbers put themselves at even greater risk.
Tragedies can happen.
In May of 1996, for example, Everest claimed eight lives. The victims were both amateurs and the professionals who agreed to guide them safely to the summit. No human being has the strength at that altitude to carry the corpses, so they stay on the mountain, becoming frozen reminders to future climbers that Mount Everest does not forgive human weakness. Yet, in Spring of 1997, the crowds returned. New teams of climbers arrived, fearlessly focused on their summit dreams.