American endurance athlete Tyler Andrews’ record-breaking Everest ascent has triggered a fierce debate in the climbing world, with critics questioning whether his 9-hour, 55-minute summit push from Base Camp benefited from an earlier "route recce".
Andrews, 36, a cancer survivor, reached the summit on May 28, the last day of the climbing season, and returned to Base Camp in 16 hours and 32 minutes, breaking a 23-year-old speed record on Everest’s South Side. He became the first non-Sherpa climber to hold the South Base Camp speed mark, but critics soon focused on his aborted May 24 attempt.
