High Crimes: The Fate of Everest in an Age of Greed

In 1996, eight climbers died atop Mount Everest in a single storm in a story that made headlines across the globe and formed the basis of Jon Krakauer's monumental bestseller Into Thin Air. But instead of being scared off by this event, even more people wish to beat the mountain and pay more than $65,000 to get a piece of the action. Where once climbers like Sir Edmund Hillary enjoyed noble and brave reputations, in the 21st century the criminal element has turned Everest into a place where beatings, thefts, drugs, prostitution, threats and abandonment reign.