Indefatigable America ski mountaineer Hilaree Nelson, 49, has been confirmed dead after attempting to ski from the 26,781-foot summit of Nepal’s Manaslu with her partner Jim Morrison Monday morning. Morrison was able to ski down to a lower base camp.
As reported by Morrison, Nelson set off a small avalanche as she was starting her descent, which swept her into a crevasse on the south side of Manaslu, opposite the planned route. Poor weather conditions delayed the search for her. After two days of searching by helicopter, this morning Morrison was able to land at 22,000 and climb to the crevasse, where he found her body.
“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.”
The same morning Nelson was lost, an avalanche elsewhere on the mountain killed one climber and trapped a dozen others.