What condition was Beck Weathers in when Krakauer found him on the way down, and why was he standing still?

• A. He could not see because eye surgery and low atmospheric pressure worsened his eyesight, and he waited for Rob Hall to return.
• B. He was fully alert and waiting for a signal to move.
• C. He was unconscious due to dehydration.
• D. He was shivering but could still see.

Answer: (A)

Beck Weathers was effectively blind at that moment. His preexisting eye condition, worsened by high-altitude conditions and low atmospheric pressure, left him with severely impaired vision. In that state, he couldn’t judge the terrain or move safely, so he stayed put, waiting for Rob Hall to return and provide direction or assistance. This scene shows how extreme altitude can flip a person’s fate when vision and judgment are compromised, making movement perilous rather than possible.