In reply to Adam Lincoln: Seriously though, whether alive or dead, what was he doing there in the first place? Even aid workers are in serious danger out there. Its not like climbing, as an earlier response held it, you cannot calculate the risk out there if you are travelling independently. In the military the risk goes with the job. For an independent there are too many variables.
Travelling to such a destination, although adventurous, is irresponsible, given the current climate.
Unlike mountaineering where, should a tragedy unfold, it will be of a recognisable nature, a fall, avalanche, succumbing to AMS But being stoned to death, kidnapped, beheaded or shot in a war torn country, will be tremedously difficult for relatives to deal with. It would be much harder for them to understand/comprehend. Nevermind the obligatory gruesome news coverage.
Ken