was this film successful? it flopped in the USA, but why?

I didn't think it looks all that interesting to spend $10 on it, so I waited to see it. Was okay, not worth seeing in theaters though. I don't know what you are expecting for an answer. Do you think a survey was taken as to why everyone who didn't see it decided not to see it? Probably a combination of lack of appealing marketing/little marketing or not greatly appealing plot/lack of big starts (a couple of recognizable names, most weren't though.)

-
Consider the daffodil. And while you're doing that I'll be over here looking through your stuff.

One factor that may have contributed is that there have been several TV films and documentaries about this tragedy that have been widely aired and certainly seen by the core audience for a film like this - people interested in outdoor adventure-type films.

The made for TV "Into Thin Air" was reasonably good, and the IMAX Everest film also touched upon this story. So did David Breashears' excellent documentary, Storm Over Everest, which got wide viewing on Frontline and elsewhere, and another feature-length compelling one entitled The Dark Side of Everest. Other programs, such as Seconds from Disaster had episodes on the 1996 events. Several other documentaries covered the Lincoln Hall story and the David Sharp story, subsequent tragic tales which shared some similar themes. It is likely some market saturation effect was present. Not that people who have seen these other works won't watch this movie, they just may not be motivated to go to a theater to see it.

edited to add title

Market over saturation