Hilaree Nelson: The Summit Beyond the Snow

Hilaree Nelson was more than her records. Born December 13, 1972 in Seattle, she learned to ski at age three at Stevens Pass and grew into a ski-mountaineer who combined boldness with thoughtful respect for the mountains. She lived in Telluride, Colorado, and was a mother of two boys, but also a lead figure in high-altitude skiing. Among her many achievements:

She was the first woman to summit two 8,000-meter peaks (Everest and Lhotse) in 24 hours in 2012 an almost unimaginable feat of endurance, skill, and logistics.

She served as captain of The North Face Global Athlete Team, mentoring and inspiring a generation of younger climbers and skiers, especially women in high-altitude mountaineering

“In 2014, she received a National Geographic Explorers grant to lead an audacious expedition to a little known peak in the far northern reaches of Myanmar, Hkakabo Razi. Ultimately unsuccessful, the story of human and physical drama that unfolded was documented in the award-winning 2015 film Down to Nothing and earned her a spot on the National Geographic Live Speaker series through which she shared her stories to audiences across the country. In 2017 Men’s Journal named her one of the most adventurous women of the last 25 years.

In 2018, she and her partner Jim Morrison made the first ski descent of Lhotse, the world’s fourth-highest mountain a line that had been dreamed of for decades.”

Source: https://www.thenorthface.com/en-us/about-us/athletes/hilaree-nelson

She was admired for her humility, courage, and the way she balanced motherhood with extreme adventure something rare and groundbreaking in the high-risk, world of mountaineering. Here is a detailed account of the accident the circumstances leading up to it and the legacy of her loss.

The Expedition and Summit

Hilaree Nelson kissing Jim Morrison

Hilaree Nelson and her long-time partner and ski-mountaineering collaborator Jim Morrison were climbing Manaslu in autumn 2022. The mountain, the eighth-highest in the world, is known for its long ridges and demanding descent terrain.

On the morning of September 26 2022 they reached the true summit. According to Morrison’s post-expedition account, they arrived at approximately 10:42 am local time under challenging conditions of cold, wind and snow.

Their plan after summiting was to ski the descent. The transition from climbing mode (ascending on foot/ropes) to skiing mode (putting on skis and descending steep slopes) is always a demanding one in high altitude mountaineering–skiing expeditions; Nelson and Morrison had done similar feats before, for example their 2018 first ski descent of Lhotse.

The Accident

Not the avalanche https://www.reddit.com/r/NatureIsFuckingLit/comments/gibh5k/burst_of_snow_from_an_avalanche/

Shortly after beginning their descent from the summit ridge of Manaslu, Hilaree followed Morrison across a corniced or steep section of the snow-slope. Morrison skied first; Nelson followed. According to the expedition report:

Brandon Brasson “Once Nelson failed to rejoin Morrison and their Sherpa team at the planned rendezvous point, alarm was raised. The mountain environment posed severe obstacles: high altitude, unstable weather, avalanche hazard, steep terrain and limited daylight. According to reporting:

The initial search was delayed due to weather conditions including wind and snowfall.

A helicopter operation was mounted; on September 28 the body of Hilaree Nelson was located above the Thulagi Glacier on the south face of Manaslu and evacuated to Kathmandu.

Her death was officially recorded as a “fall” rather than partial avalanche burial, but the avalanche triggered and carried the fall.”

END: Brandon Brasson

Then

“UPDATE at 15:50

Jim Morrison, partner of Hilaree Nelson, has published this post on his social media account.

“There are no words to describe the love for this woman, my life partner, my lover, my best friend, and my mountain partner.

She has been the beacon of light in my life day in and day out.

On September 26th at 10:42 am we reached the true summit of Manaslu in tough conditions. We quickly transitioned from climbing to skiing in cold and wind with a plan to ski around the corner and regroup with our Sherpa team. I skied first and after a few turns Hilaree followed and started a small avalanche. She was swept off her feet and carried down a narrow snow slope down the south side (opposite from climbing route) of the mountain over 5000’. I did everything I could to locate her but was unable to go down the face as I hoped to find her alive and live my life with her.

I spent the last two days searching from the air in a helicopter.

Today with the help of Surendra an incredibly skilled pilot we were able to land at 22,000 feet and search for her. @nimsdai was instrumental in helping organize the best team and resources possible and I found her body with the aid of @mt.sherpa today at 10:30 am. I’m in Kathmandu with her and her spirit.

My loss is indescribable and I am focused on her children and their steps forward. @hilareenelson is the most inspiring person in life and now her energy will guide our collective souls.

Peace be with us all. Pray for her family and community which is broadly stretched across our planet.

I’m devastated by the loss of her.”

another sources say

“A small avalanche quickly derailed Nelson, abruptly sending her 5,000 feet down the formidable mountain to her death.”

Source:https://www.si.com/onsi/adventure/mountaineering-feed-page/remembering-the-fatal-climbing-tragedy-on-manaslu

I’m not sure about the exact height, but I do know it was a huge drop about 5,000 to 6,000 feet.

For perspective, the Empire State Building is around 1,250 feet tall, so that’s like falling from the height of four or five of them stacked on top of each other.

It’s also roughly the same as the height difference between the Grand Canyon’s rim and its floor, which is about 5,000–6,000 feet.

My math:

so she most of fell for about 18–19 seconds of fall time.

to roughly 25–35 seconds of falling, depending on position

Then I Google it

its said 17 to 19?

The other time I asked it said it can take up to a minute in free fall. I’m not 100% sure.

From what I’ve read, it really depends on height, air resistance, and body position. From about 5,000 to 6,000 feet, it would probably take somewhere between 17 to 35 seconds before hitting the ground.

I know people in the twin towers take 9–11 second and that like 1,300 ft

A minute-long fall usually happens at much higher altitudes, like a skydiver jumping from 10,000 feet or more.

Either way, that’s still a terrifyingly long time to be falling long enough to understand what’s happening and have no way to stop it.

The Aftermath and Broader Context

Hilaree Nelson’s recovered

Hilaree Nelson’s death came on a day that was already tragic for Manaslu. A large avalanche earlier on the same day had killed a Nepali guide

Sources: Hilaree Nelson and Anup Rai perish on Manaslu

“Anup Rai 34-year-old”and injured multiple climbers ferrying loads to high camps. I’ll make a standalone article on him.

Nelson’s Body

Following Nelson’s death, her body was brought to Kathmandu and a Buddhist cremation ceremony was held on October 2, 2022.

Her passing reverberated through the mountaineering and ski-mountaineering communities.

jim morrison comforting a woman

“Her death reminds us of a truth older than language itself that in the high Himalaya, even the strongest hearts are measured against the mercy of the earth. The risk is not chosen, it is inherited in every breath above the clouds, where the air thins, the world narrows, and the line between triumph and eternity disappears.” Brandon Brasson.

Jim Morrison honors Hilaree Nelson’s fearless spirit

“Jim Morrison on his way to climbing the north face of Everest before becoming the first person in the world to ski the Hornbein Couloir on 15 October 2025” Source:

https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/snow-ski-skimountaineering/jim-morrison-completes-first-ski-descent-of-everest-hornbein-couloir.html

Jim Morrison also lost his 1st wife and two biological kids in 2011 to a plane crash.

Man.

This is the last part of the story. I’ve written this article in pieces to make it easier to make I’m at 2,102 words so far.

But this one… this one’s about Jim Morrison. The moment that says it all.

We Salute you Jim Morrison

Mason Leib from abc7ny.com said:

“An American skier made history on Wednesday as the first to descend Mount Everest’s notoriously narrow north face route.

Jim Morrison, 50, accomplished the feat at 7:45 p.m. local time after spending over six weeks on the mountain, according to National Geographic.

The route, a combination of the Hornbein and Japanese Couloirs, began at an incredible height of 29,032 feet. It was his third attempt to ski the line.

History was made just four hours and five minutes after Morrison began his descent when he reached Camp One at 19,974 feet in elevation.

He was joined by Chin and Chai Vasarhelyi — the Oscar-winning documentary directors behind the 2018 rock climbing film, “Free Solo,” — who documented the historical achievement for a forthcoming National Geographic film.

Morrison dedicated the record-breaking achievement to his late partner, Hilaree Nelson, who died nearly three years ago in a fall from Nepal’s Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world.

He spread her ashes on the peak of Everest before beginning his now-historic ride.

Speaking with National Geographic about the emotional moment, Morrison said, “I had a little conversation with her and felt like I could dedicate the whole day to her.”

Merely summiting Mount Everest’s elusive Hornbein Couloir was an achievement in its own right.

It has only been accomplished by a few mountaineers since it was first done by American climber Thomas Hornbein. It was last successfully summited in 1991.”

Sources :https://abc7ny.com/post/spreading-late-partners-ashes-mount-everest-skier-jim-morrison-makes-history/18015402/

Ya’ll know my I’m going to hit you guy with a poetic tribute I made:

“Jim climbs Mount Everest step by step, breath by breath, the world falling away beneath him. When he reaches the summit, he stands in the thin air as close to heaven as a man can be while still alive. He opens his hands and releases Hilaree’s ashes, watching them drift into the wind, carried across the roof of the world.

Then he straps on his skis and begins his descent. Every turn slices through the white abyss like a memory in motion, every breath a verse of freedom. It isn’t just a descent it’s a final song, a dance with the mountain, a farewell written in snow and spirit. The kind of love that doesn’t fade, only changes shape in the wind. Brandon Brasson”

Final Thoughts

Source:https://www.seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/remembering-seattle-born-top-ski-mountaineer-hilaree-nelson/

I’ve been researching Hilaree Nelson and has quickly become one of my favorite mountaineers/skiers. I’ll leave you all with a tribute to her.

“On the summit of Manaslu, in the thin air and under impossible conditions, Hilaree Nelson reached the top once again. She then took her skis and began a descent of pure vision. But no matter how many turns she had executed before, this one slipped the margin of control. Nature’s threshold was reached. The avalanche came. The fall happened. Rescue came too late.

Yet, the story of Hilaree Nelson remains one of audacity and love for the mountains, for her children, for the lines she skied and the lives she touched. She chased the horizon, turned fear into motion, and lived with a heart open to extremes. That is the measure of her journey.

Her name endures in the snowfields she descended, in the mountains she climbed, and in the inspiration she leaves behind. Resting now among peaks she loved, her spirit continues to guide those who follow the call of the summit.”

Brandon Brasson

“Alright gang I’m keeping this one free. No paywall. My broke ass will survive and I’m glad this story will be out there for everyone.”

Special Thanks

Jim Morrison

jimmy chin

Chai Vasarhelyi

Anup Rai

Ozon’s Salute

Everest Mystery

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Sources

https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/alpinism/anup-rai-perishes-manaslu-hilaree-nelson-reported-missing.htm

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