Why were people confused by the Himalayan guides' actions?

• A. Because the guides had continued to keep the amateurs moving up the mountain, which had killed so many people.
• B. Because the guides used outdated climbing techniques.
• C. Because the guides refused to use supplemental oxygen.
• D. Because the guides charged excessive fees.

Answer: (A)

People were puzzled because the guides kept urging the amateurs to push upward, even as danger grew. In the Everest disaster account, the decision to press on toward the summit wasn’t just about climbing technique or gear—it reflected a leadership dynamic under pressure: clients paid big fees and wanted a summit, and guides felt the need to deliver that result. That tension between safety and satisfying guests led to risky choices that put inexperienced climbers in harm’s way, which is why observers found the guides’ actions hard to understand. Other factors like outdated methods, oxygen use, or costs played a role in the broader story, but the central mystery about the confusion lies in why professional guides chose to move a group of amateurs toward increasingly dangerous conditions.