[wagglebee]

This is just a hunch, but I think there would be a number of reasons for the drop in fatilities in the last two decades:

- Advances in lightweight cold weather clothing has made it easier to keep climbers warmer while at the same time making movement easier.

- Advances in communications, especially radio and GPS makes it easier to locate stranded climbers.

- The higher number of people on the mountain and in base camps probably has also resulted in more highly-trained doctors and medical experts capable of treating hypothermia and altitude conditions (especially when you consider how many of the expeditions are sponsored by very wealthy people who have the funds to cover all contingencies).

- The fact that there are more people on the mountain during climbing season (and many of the sherpas are seasoned climbers with multiple full and partial ascents) makes rescues easier and ascents safer.

[patton]

Some parts have permanent climbing aides installed (ladders).

[Proud_texan]

Again a hunch but from the disaster stories I've seen I'm betting that improvements in weather forecasting has caused a drop in the fatality rates.

Climbers still get surprised by the weather and die but apparently not nearly so many now as in the past.