Mountaineer Skis Down Everest’s North Face, Honors Late Partner
Jim Morrison, an American skier and mountaineer, has achieved a remarkable feat by skiing down the North Face of Mount Everest. This marks the first time anyone has successfully skied this particularly challenging route.
Morrison, 50, completed the descent on Wednesday, taking four hours and five minutes to ski from the summit, which stands at 29,032 feet, down a nearly vertical 9,000-foot drop to the Rongbuk Glacier. National Geographic accompanied Morrison on this journey and is planning to release a documentary about the experience.
The route Morrison took, utilizing the Hornbein and Japanese Couloirs, is known for its difficulty. These couloirs are characterized by steep, icy, and narrow paths, with a significant risk of avalanches.
Morrison dedicated his historic ski to his partner, Hilaree Nelson, a renowned mountaineer who tragically died in 2022 after a fall on Manaslu in Nepal.
“I had a little conversation with her and felt like I could dedicate the whole day to her,” Morrison said. “When I finally crossed the bergschrund, I cried. I’d risked so much, but I was alive. It felt like a tribute to Hilaree—something she’d be proud of. I really felt her with me, cheering me on.”
According to National Geographic, this wasn’t Morrison’s first attempt. He had tried to ski the North Face on two previous occasions, but permitting issues and dangerous weather conditions prevented him from completing the descent. This time, on the last day of his permit, everything aligned for his success.
Describing the experience, Morrison told National Geographic that the ski involved “a mix of survival skiing and actual shredding.”
Morrison’s accomplishment follows another recent Everest skiing feat. Weeks prior, Polish skier Andrzej Bargiel skied down Mount Everest without using supplemental oxygen.
Skiing on Mount Everest, especially down its more challenging faces, is an activity that comes with significant risks. The mountain’s high altitude, unpredictable weather, and dangerous terrain create a hazardous environment for even the most experienced mountaineers and skiers. Avalanches, crevasses, and sudden changes in weather conditions are constant threats. Skiers must be highly skilled and well-prepared to navigate these dangers.
The North Face of Mount Everest, in particular, is considered one of the most difficult and dangerous routes on the mountain. Its steep, icy slopes and narrow couloirs pose significant challenges for skiers. The risk of avalanches is also particularly high on this face.
Morrison’s successful ski descent of the North Face of Mount Everest is a testament to his skill, experience, and determination. It is also a tribute to his late partner, Hilaree Nelson, who inspired him to pursue his dreams. His accomplishment is an inspiring example of what can be achieved with dedication and perseverance, even in the face of great adversity.
