Hard to say if she also had some kind of a lung problem to begin with. But that was the offical "cause" of her death. I have heard of other cases of this being potentially dangerous in Antarctica. It may have a lot to due with a combination of exceedingly dry air in addtion to the cold. It was also very windy - like 40mph wind too. Unless you have lived in Laramie Wyoming you have no idea of how windy it can be ALL the time! I was taught to always use a face mask or have a tunnel hood with a fur lining-the design is to help pre-warm the air.