An American mountaineer has achieved one of the most dangerous feats in alpine history, skiing down the treacherous North Face of Mount Everest years after witnessing an avalanche claim the life of his partner.
The 'No-Fall Zone' Descent
Jim Morrison, a professional skier from California, reached the summit of the world's highest peak last October. He then embarked on a descent few have ever dared: clipping into skis to travel nearly 9,000 vertical feet down Everest's most unforgiving side. The route, climbed via the mountain's forbidding north side, is notorious among climbers as a 'no-fall zone' due to its exposed, icy terrain.
Morrison summited alongside Academy Award–winning filmmaker Jimmy Chin and a team of a dozen others. While his companions celebrated, Morrison faced the solitary challenge ahead. 'That's when I strapped into my skis and had the challenge of, okay, how am I gonna make this first turn? How am I gonna make the second turn?' he recalled.
A Journey Forged in Loss
The descent carried immense emotional weight. Morrison had long planned this Himalayan ski project with his partner, elite ski mountaineer Hilaree Nelson. Their shared dream was shattered in September 2022 when Nelson died after triggering an avalanche while skiing Manaslu, the world's eighth-highest mountain, in Nepal.
In a heartfelt Instagram post after the tragedy, Morrison described Nelson as his 'life partner' and 'mountain partner,' writing that his loss was 'indescribable.' He detailed watching the avalanche sweep her away and the subsequent days searching by helicopter before recovering her body.
Reflecting on the Everest descent, Morrison stated, 'This was a shared project that we had worked on together and conceived together. And I felt determined to try to complete it.' He has said Nelson's influence guided him throughout the climb and ski.
The Most Significant Descent on Earth
The four-hour ski down the North Face was a test of ultimate focus. The face is darker, colder, and more exposed to jet-stream winds than other routes, littered with ice and rock where avalanches are common. Veteran climber Jimmy Chin emphasised the peril: 'We call it no-fall zone, where you can't make a single mistake. If you blow an edge or you lose your balance at all, you're gone.' He has called it 'the holy grail of mountaineering.'
Morrison admitted to moments of doubt during the descent. 'I had moments where I wanted to call it quits,' he said. 'But I think, wait a second, I'm here right now. This is my life dream. It's happening.'
For Chin, witnessing Morrison's success was extraordinary. 'For the rest of us who have been on this journey with Jim, to see him execute at that level was extraordinary in itself,' Chin said. 'But to see him come out the other side, and the relief… it is the most significant ski descent that you can do on planet Earth.'
This was not the first profound tragedy in Morrison's life; his wife and two young children were killed in a plane crash in 2011. Despite this, he focuses on movement and legacy. 'I hope that people will walk away with a spring in their step and a renewed sense of confidence that they can go out and achieve their dreams,' he said.
