Mount Everest attracts climbers from all parts of the world and of all sporting levels from the novice to the seasoned mountaineer and anyone that is willing to pay the price asked for by professional mountaineers to help them have a successful climb. Although the mountain does not pose a climbing problem on the standard route, there is inherent danger on some of the other points. There is also the problem of certain illnesses that can be contracted by the climber such as altitude sickness. There are also dangers from wind and weather. To climb Everest requires that the climber have a permit which would cost him about $25,000 per person in American dollars. These permits are the major part of Nepal's income.
Everest has claimed about Two Hundred and Ten lives over the years; It claimed fifteen deaths of people trying to descend from the mountain. The last eight of that group died in May of 1996. These fifteen people were caught in what is called the "death zone" where the wind and weather are so cruel that rescue is near impossible. The bodies of most of the people that have perished in the death zone are just left there. These bodies can be seen by climbers who take the standard route up and down the mountain.
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