Does this explain the "Why" of it?

[GlennM]

Any tough decision falls into one of three categorical types, commonly known as dilemmas. These choices are (1) approach-approach (choosing between two equally desirable outcomes). Example, the donkey who starved by being tied between two stalls of hay. Next (2) is approach-avoidance (drawn to and repelled at the same time) Example, overeating. Example, wanting to take the medicine, but hating the side effects. Third (3) avoidance-avoidance (choosing the lesser of two evils) Example, a court sentence to pay the fine or do the time. Example, choose between the devil and the deep.

The choices are you do, you don’t or you procrastinate. The dilemma and choices may change if the environment changes.

[Axelrod]

Again, I think a sense of personal pride, reputation and controlling the odds by wishful thinking sealed their fate.

I do not know how successful they would have been if they had chosen. If they decided to resolve the dilemma by breaking camp, retreating back past Boot Rock, to the labaz and home, would it have ended any differently? I don’t think so. I can not imagine team dismantling that camp in the height of bad weather either before or after the tent was collapsed. One would naturally wait it out, and I think they would proceed with the hike. I think the moment in time when they could have made a meaningful choice was when they were beaten back the first time.

Finally, at the root of it all is the matter of free will and fate. For me this is the essence of the DPI. Everything else is just details. It is clear from my post that people can make choices. Arguably this demonstrates free will. It is also evident that the forces of Nature have cause and effect, but not decision making. No matter how the tourists worked their way out of their dilemma, Fate was going to win. In gambling it would be called the house’s advantage.

This is not the first time you've written this fantasy, your interpretation of events. Just because you've imagined it and are convinced of it doesn't mean other people think so too. It's not as complicated as you think. It was an emergency, not a challenge.

We have similar mountains near our house; such a mountain presents no difficulty. The only difficulty is climbing a 7-meter-high rock, equivalent to a three-story building.

[GlennM]

 I suggest that at a moment in time, the hikers were presented with a worrisome dilemma to either try to achieve Ortoten at great personal risk (not a reasonable risk), or give up the quest. Neither choice was desirable, but it was a choice affected by changing conditions.

[Axelrod]

It's hard to argue with the subject of someone's total imagination

[GlennM]

I understand your comment. It is not my intention to ramble. The why of things is always harder than the how of things. My post was about one aspect of decision making which is resolving a dilemma. The subject of the thread was a question. I understand your answer is no. I trust there is no disagreement on what dilemmas are. I offer it as a tool.

[SURI]

What kind of decision? They had already been doomed to death (some) before the hike.