I'd wager a climber risks his life more by continuing the climb than stopping to help. But that's really the point. All that matters to some of these intrepid mountaineers is making the summit. If even their own life takes a backseat to that, then the life of some unknown 3rd party isn't even going to register.

By contrast most people avoid the homeless because they are afraid they'll get a brick in the face, or something similar. Even then, if they saw one gasping out their last breaths I think most would call 911--from a safe distance.


And I do agree with your "continuum" theory. It's just that I think anybody who passes a dying person without stopping to render aid just so they can summit Everest is way, way past where most of society finds itself.