When we reported on the first ski descent down the North Face of Everest by Jim Morrison, we were aware that words could hardly do justice to the achievement. Indeed, the first clips released today by National Geographic left us speechless.
American skier Jim Morrison, 50, summited Everest via its North Face on October 15. An 11-member team supported him and fixed the rarely climbed route. There was also a talented film crew, led by Oscar-winning filmmaker Jimmy Chin.
The expedition’s real work took place 30 minutes after the summit, when Morrison stepped into his skis and plunged down the legendary Hornbein Couloir. The last to try, snowboarder Marco Siffredi in 2002, died in the attempt, and his body was never found.
The direct line of the Hornbein Couloir/Japanese Couloir on the North Face of Everest. Photo: Animal de Ruta
Morrison skied 3,650 vertical meters down the Hornbein Couloir and the Japanese Couloir below it, to the Rongbuk Glacier. He mentioned abominable conditions on the Hornbein, which is up to 60º steep. A rocky section below that forced him to rappel part of the way. The footage shows the true scale of the mountain and the vertiginous slopes.
Jim Morrison. Photo: The North Face/Instagram
Morrison wanted the descent to be a tribute to his late partner, Hilaree Nelson, who perished in another ski descent — from Manaslu — in 2022.
As for the teaser shared by National Geographic, it met its objective. Now, we can’t wait to see the entire documentary.
