What offer did Andy Harris make Lopsang to help bring oxygen to Rob Hall and Doug Hansen, and how did Lopsang respond?

• A. He offered $500; Lopsang refused because he was supposed to take care of just his group and Scott, so Harris then tried to carry the two canisters on the Hillary Step alone.
• B. He offered $200; Lopsang accepted and helped immediately.
• C. He offered no money; Lopsang helped anyway.
• D. He offered $1000; Lopsang refused because he didn't trust Harris.

Answer: (A)

On the mountain, loyalties and duties guide decisions just as much as the physical danger does. Andy Harris offered five hundred dollars to Lopsang to go back down and bring up oxygen canisters for Rob Hall and Doug Hansen. Lopsang refused, explaining that his responsibilities were to his own group and Scott, so he wouldn’t take money to help others. Harris then tried to carry the two canisters up the Hillary Step by himself, highlighting how risky and impractical it was to rely on improvisation in that moment. This sequence shows why the offer and the refusal, followed by Harris attempting the lift on his own, best match what happened.