"I said to Scott that the ascent seemed to be going slowly and that I was concerned descending climbers could possibly run out of oxygen before their return to camp IV"

In this quote, Anatoli Boukreev is revealing his concern to Scott about the sluggish climb of the climbers. He is fretted that the climbers might not have adequate oxygen to make it back to camp IV. This is a valid issue, as oxygen is essential for climbers to make it to the summit of a mountain. Without sufficient oxygen, climbers can become disoriented and suffer from altitude sickness. Boukreev's issue for the security of the climbers is admirable, and his words show his commitment to guaranteeing the safety of all climbers. His words likewise reveal his understanding of the significance of oxygen in mountaineering, and his desire to take the needed actions to ensure the security of the climbers.