I took the time to read through all of the case studies. One of the lesser occurring details of decision making really caught my attention: When to stay and when to go, regarding the decision leave an accident victim, in order to protect the rest of the group from further injury (in one case, it was an overall lack of warm clothing)(the second case was more complicated, involving high altitude and food shortages, and dangerous terrain for a solo egress if one stayed behind)
I am left to wonder if the climbing buddies had huddled together for the night, would the combined warmth had lessened everyone's chances of injury(mainly, the victim with the broken ribs) I would be very hard pressed to leave an injured buddy behind, but I am loyal to a fault.
Further thoughts: perhaps due to the fact that the broken-rib climbing group was doing a face/wall, maybe they were unable to re-group effectively for the night.
