What explanation do the Sherpas give for Ngawang's death?

What explanation do the Sherpas give for Ngawang's death?

• A. They said that one of Fischer's climbers (Sandy Pittman the slut), by having sex on the mountain while married to another man, had angered Everest and the goddess was taking revenge on Ngawang
• B. He died from an avalanche
• C. He died of exposure during a storm
• D. He fell while crossing a rope bridge

Answer: (A)

In this part of the story, the Sherpas frame death on the mountain as a consequence of spiritual or moral forces, not just physical hazards. They say the goddess of Everest was angered by a climber’s sexual activity on the mountain, and that divine anger manifested as Ngawang’s death. This reflects their belief that sacred space on the peak can enforce moral order and punish transgressions with misfortune. So the explanation they give is a supernatural, moral cause—divine retribution—rather than an avalanche, exposure, or a fall.

In this part of the story, the Sherpas frame death on the mountain as a consequence of spiritual or moral forces, not just physical hazards. They say the goddess of Everest was angered by a climber’s sexual activity on the mountain, and that divine anger manifested as Ngawang’s death. This reflects their belief that sacred space on the peak can enforce moral order and punish transgressions with misfortune. So the explanation they give is a supernatural, moral cause—divine retribution—rather than an avalanche, exposure, or a fall.