[recycled sixtie]

Just read on MSN site about the Everest climbers and my condolences go out to those who lost their lives on it and any relatives and friends of the deceased.
Possibly there are mountain climbers on this forum that can explain to me if this is considered a "tourist mountain", namely a mountain that many climbers that lack the necessary skills attempt anyway. There are so many pitfalls like hi altitude sickness, icefalls, frostbite that make this a high risk venture. Also apparently there is so much focus apparently on reaching the top that descending becomes less of a concern. Mountain climbers out there please enlighten me to help me understand Everest when there are lesser mountains out there to successfully climb and return safely?