There are many hazards to mountain climbing that can ruin a summit or even cost a climber his life.

Some of the hazards are: falling rocks and ice, avalanches, ice and snow slopes, crevasses, weather, climber falls, and altitude.

Perhaps the most expected or common hazards are natural disasters, such as falling debris or weather storms. Many people do not expect physical ailments to result in so many deaths. Altitude and cardiac attacks can claim many lives, especially on the taller mountains, where there is less oxygen available.

Rapid ascent up a mountain can lead to altitude sickness, and ultimately, death. Climbing ascents up mountains, such as Mt. Everest, taken three to four months because of the time needed to acclimatize to the lack of oxygen. Once climbers reach a certain elevation, there are strategic base camps set up where climbers will spend days, weeks, or even months getting used to (acclimatizing) to the lack of oxygen.

Photo source: https://www.tibettravel.org/tibet-map/everest-maps.html