'Traffic Jam' on Mt. Everest Brings the Death Count to Four
Isn't scaling Mount Everest supposed to be dangerous on its own? Now, officials are blaming a new wrinkle for the deaths of four people and one missing climber: Too many people rushing to the summit at once.
RELATED: Three Climbers Die on Mount Everest
"There was a traffic jam on the mountain on Saturday. Climbers were still heading to the summit as late as 2:30 p.m. which is quite dangerous," a guide told The Associated Press."With the traffic jam, climbers had a longer wait for their chance to go up the trail and spent too much time at higher altitude. Many of them are believed to be carrying limited amount of oxygen not anticipating the extra time spent."
RELATED: Expect Traffic Jams on Everest This Weekend
That's what may have happened to Ha Wenyi, a Chinese climber whose body was found on Tuesday near the top of the peak--not far from where the bodies of three other climbers were found. ABC's Marissa Taylor reports that there is still one more climber missing.
And here's something to watch out for this weekend. Despite the story of Wenyi's and her fellow climber's deaths and Everest's problematic "traffic jam," The AP is reporting that about 200 more climbers will be scaling the mountain between Friday and Sunday.
