David Sharp *1972 +2006: The controversy

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David Sharp was an English mountaineer who died near the summit of Mt Everest after possibly reaching the summit of Mount Everest on his third attempt.

David Sharp on Everest

His death caused controversy and debate: While deceasing in the Green Boots Cave high up on Mt Everest he was passed by a number of climbers heading to and returning from the summit. Most of these climbers where part of an Expedition lead by Russel Brice which was filmed by BBC. Mark Inglis, who gained some popularity because his legs are amputated admitted to have seen Davod Sharp on Ascent. On his way down Maya Chaya passed David Sharp – filmed by a BBC crew. He needed to abandon David to save his own live.

David Sharps dead Body

With most attention the climbers Mark Inglis, who admitted to have seen David Sharp, and Maya Chaya have been discussed. What has been less considered is, that David Sharp has not been a unique case, but that Francis Arsentiev, Lincoln Hall and many others or had been equally difficult.

It felt into oblivion, who David Sharp actually was.

David was an engineer and an experienced climber. He knew what he was doing. He did work as an engineer but felt that changing to a career as teacher would give him more time to climb. His true passion was mountaineering, and he built up an impressing collection of summits and expeditions: Cho Oyo, Matterhorn, Mount Elbrus, and some other popular mountains have seen him summiting, and he has been at Mt. Everest twice before.

A friend, the New Zealander Jamie McGuinness had been on Everest with Sharp when he failed in an attempt in 2003. Sharp had failed again in 2004, vowing not to return. McGuinness is quoted in the Sunday times:

David knew he could do it, but he still had to prove it.

Linda Sharp, David’s mother, however, does not blame other climbers. She has said to The Sunday Times, “David had been noticed in a shelter. People had seen him but thought he was dead. One of Russell’s [Brice’s] Sherpas checked on him and there was still life there. He tried to give him oxygen but it was too late. Your responsibility is to save yourself – not to try to save anybody else.”

Mark Inglis

New Zealand double-amputee climber Mark Inglis revealed in an interview on 23 May 2006 that Sharp had died, and that he had been passed by 40 other climbers heading for the summit who made no attempt at a rescue. Inglis has been criticized for this decision by many people including Sir Edmund Hillary, who said he should have abandoned any attempt at the summit to help a fellow climber.

Source: Wikipedia

This painting is part of the set Into thin Air with ten more portraits of climbers. Click for an extensive description.