What explanation did Krakauer give for Scott Fischer's fatigue on the summit day?

What explanation did Krakauer give for Scott Fischer's fatigue on the summit day?

• A. He was sick with a gastrointestinal parasite that he had picked up earlier and had never gone away and had emerged from dormancy.
• B. Dehydration.
• C. Altitude sickness only.
• D. Overexertion on prior days.

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that Krakauer attributes Fischer’s fatigue on the summit day to an ongoing illness, specifically a gastrointestinal parasite that had been dormant and then resurfaced. This explanation fits the narrative Krakauer gives: Fischer had stomach trouble earlier, and the parasite remained inactive for a while before reasserting itself during the climb. The resulting abdominal distress, weakness, and malaise would sap energy and stamina, making the final push feel extraordinarily exhausting even if Fischer had trained and acclimatized. This explanation is more precise than blaming dehydration, altitude sickness alone, or just overexertion on prior days. Dehydration could contribute, but Krakauer emphasizes a chronic illness that directly impaired Fischer’s energy levels. Altitude sickness is a common factor on Everest, yet the specific pattern Krakauer describes—a dormant GI parasite flaring up during the ascent—accounts for the persistent fatigue and the particular symptoms Fischer experienced. Overexertion on earlier days could explain some tiredness, but it wouldn’t explain the onset and persistence of illness timing Krakauer records.

The main idea here is that Krakauer attributes Fischer’s fatigue on the summit day to an ongoing illness, specifically a gastrointestinal parasite that had been dormant and then resurfaced. This explanation fits the narrative Krakauer gives: Fischer had stomach trouble earlier, and the parasite remained inactive for a while before reasserting itself during the climb. The resulting abdominal distress, weakness, and malaise would sap energy and stamina, making the final push feel extraordinarily exhausting even if Fischer had trained and acclimatized.

This explanation is more precise than blaming dehydration, altitude sickness alone, or just overexertion on prior days. Dehydration could contribute, but Krakauer emphasizes a chronic illness that directly impaired Fischer’s energy levels. Altitude sickness is a common factor on Everest, yet the specific pattern Krakauer describes—a dormant GI parasite flaring up during the ascent—accounts for the persistent fatigue and the particular symptoms Fischer experienced. Overexertion on earlier days could explain some tiredness, but it wouldn’t explain the onset and persistence of illness timing Krakauer records.