Question

Why did Rob Hall insist that everyone turn around at 10:00 during the first acclimation climb up the Icefall?

a) Due to adverse weather conditions
b) To avoid avalanches in the afternoon
c) To reach the summit before nightfall
d) To complete the climb before lunchtime

Answer 1

Rob Hall insisted on a 2:00 PM turnaround to minimize the risk of afternoon avalanches on Everest, a standard safety practice in mountaineering.

Step-by-step explanation:

In mountaineering, especially on mountains as dangerous as Everest, strict time management is critical for safety. Rob Hall likely insisted that everyone turn around at 2:00 PM during the first acclimation climb up the Icefall to avoid the increased risk of avalanches in the afternoon. This decision reflects a common practice among Everest expeditions to set a turnaround time to ensure climbers descend to safer altitudes before the day's warmth destabilizes the snow and ice, increasing the likelihood of avalanches. As a highly experienced guide, Hall knew the importance of minimizing risks by adhering to a schedule that considers environmental conditions on the mountain, like higher afternoon temperatures leading to more unstable snow and ice conditions.

Answer 2

Rob Hall insisted that everyone turn around at 10:00 during the first acclimation climb up the Icefall to avoid avalanches in the afternoon.

Step-by-step explanation:

During the first acclimation climb up the Icefall on Mount Everest, Rob Hall insisted that everyone turn around at 10:00 to avoid avalanches in the afternoon. Mount Everest is known for its extreme weather conditions, including the risk of avalanches, which are more likely to occur in the afternoon as the sun warms the snow and ice. By turning around at 10:00, the climbers would be able to descend back to base camp before the conditions became more dangerous.