What did Krakauer observe at the base of the Hillary Step while descending?

• A. A bottleneck of climbers
• B. A rescue helicopter
• C. A frozen camp
• D. A rockfall

Answer: (A)

When climbers move through a very narrow feature like the Hillary Step, even a small number of people can create a tight choke point. Krakauer’s observation on the descent was that there was a bottleneck of climbers at the base of the Step—the line of people waiting to pass through the narrow section. This crowding slows everyone down, increases exposure to the cold and thin air, and can heighten risk as conditions can deteriorate while people are stuck in line. The other scenarios don’t fit what he describes; there isn’t a rescue helicopter at that spot in his account, a frozen camp would be located elsewhere, and a rockfall isn’t what he notes at that moment.