HAPE is the Leading Cause of Death at High Altitudes High-altitude pulmonary edema or HAPE is the leading cause of death related to high-altitude exposure. John Krakauer’s breakout book Into Thin Air brought HAPE as well as High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) to the forefront of mortality on Mt. Everest, but the fact is that HAPE, while most common above altitudes of 8,200 feet, can occur at altitudes as low […] Brains Meghan Kelly | October 1, 2017 0 Comments