American skier makes history as first to descend Mount Everest's most challenging route
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.
“Standing on the north face of Everest, finishing this climb was overwhelming and deeply personal," Morrison said. "It’s the culmination of years of work and an extraordinary team effort. Climbing the direct north face and skiing what Hilaree and I believed to be the world’s greatest ski run was a dream we chased together."
"Hilaree’s spirit and energy was a galvanizing force for me and this incredible team. I hope what we accomplished honors her and the love for these mountains we shared,” Morrison said.
