The Death Zone Climbers: An Oral History of Mount Everest's Most Dangerous Region. Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world at 29,029 feet, is a formidable and dangerous mountain to climb. The death zone, which is the area above 26,000 feet, is particularly treacherous and has claimed the lives of many climbers. The death zone is so named because the human body cannot survive for long periods of time at such a high altitude. The lack of oxygen and freezing temperatures make it extremely difficult for climbers to survive. In addition, the high altitude also causes altitude sickness, which can lead to symptoms such as headache, nausea, and even death. One of the biggest challenges in the death zone is the lack of oxygen. At these high altitudes, the air is so thin that it is difficult for the body to get enough oxygen to function properly. Climbers must rely on oxygen tanks to survive, but even with these tanks, the oxygen levels are still much lower than at sea le...