Jim Morrison Makes History as First Skier to Descend Mount Everest’s North Face
In a groundbreaking achievement, American skier and mountaineer Jim Morrison has etched his name in the history books by becoming the first person to successfully ski down the North Face of Mount Everest via its most challenging and elusive route. At 50 years old, Morrison completed this remarkable descent on Wednesday, taking just four hours and five minutes to traverse the 29,032-foot summit and navigate a nearly vertical drop of 9,000 feet down to the Rongbuk Glacier. This extraordinary feat was documented by National Geographic, which followed Morrison for an upcoming documentary.
Morrison’s route involved the treacherous Hornbein and Japanese Couloirs, known for their steep, icy, and narrow conditions, as well as the high risk of avalanches. This accomplishment not only highlights Morrison’s exceptional skill but also marks a historic first for the mountaineering community.
In a poignant moment, Morrison dedicated his achievement to his partner, the renowned mountaineer Hilaree Nelson, who tragically lost her life in 2022 after a fall near the summit of Manaslu in Nepal. "I had a little conversation with her and felt like I could dedicate the whole day to her," Morrison shared. "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."
Morrison’s successful descent comes after two previous attempts were thwarted by permitting issues and harsh weather conditions. This week, on the final day of his permit, he triumphed. Describing the experience, Morrison stated that it was "a mix of survival skiing and actual shredding."
This historic ski run follows closely on the heels of Polish skier Andrzej Bargiel’s achievement, as he became the first person to ski down Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen.
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