Climbing Mount Everest Will Always Be Dangerous

Deaths at Mount Everest are not particularly common, but they're far from rare, and they will continue to happen so long as people continue to ascend the world's tallest mountain.

Friday's tragedy — an avalanche that killed 13 Nepalese climbers, caused others to go missing and trapped nearly one hundred others above a snowdrift — is exceptionally grievous. It is the most devastating accident to ever take place on Everest, but so long as more and more climbers try to conquer the mountain with each passing year, deaths will continue to happen.