Born in Seattle, Hilaree Nelson discovered skiing at an early age in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. After university, she took a one-way ticket to Chamonix, where she discovered the mountains and stayed for five years. Now at almost 50 years old, Hilaree was considered one of the best mountain skiers of her generation.
To her credit, more than 40 mountaineering or steep skiing expeditions around the world, including the Everest and Lhotse chain in 2012.
Victim of an accident while trying to descend from the "real" summit of Manaslu on Monday, September 26, Hilaree had the experience of steep slope skiing at very high altitude, after descending Cho Oyu (8,201 m) in 2005 and Makalu (8,463 m) in 2015. On September 30 2018, she and her companion Jim Morrison made the first full descent on skis of Lhotse, the fourth peak in the world with its 8,516 m. The duo took a direct corridor called Dream Line (700 m, 45-50°) before spending the night at camp 2 (6,400 m) after 17 hours of effort, and reaching base camp the next day.
Indeed. I calculate they're about 14 and 16. So very hard for them. I always have mixed feelings about parents (of children who are not yet adult) who court danger.
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davidof wrote:
Here is a video of the serac fall that killed a number of climbers on Monday, the same day at Hilaree Nelson's accident
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
@Hurtle, +1
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
I’m embarrass to admit I haven’t heard of her nor her films until now. I wish I had watched those films before her death rather than after…
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Actually, the children aside, you have to wonder how on earth her partner is going to cope, having already lost his first wife and two children in a plane crash. I wonder if he'll keep on finding solace in the high peaks, having just fished his dead partner out of a crevasse. It's hard to get one's head round such agony.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
I don’t pretend to understand mountaineers. They take on the danger all the time. But I admire them for what they can achieve.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
@davidof, That is one huge serac fall. There is always trepidation travelling beneath seracs, sometimes you simply cant avoid doing so (or if you want to then stay off the mountain). There is a level of risk being in the mountains, sometimes negligible sometimes not but it is one of the things that takes us back time and again. The list of those who have died, especially in the high mountains or greater ranges, is long but there is no shortage of those who still want to go. You always think it will happen to someone else.
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 @capt_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.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
... The list of those who have died, especially in the high mountains or greater ranges, is long but there is no shortage of those who still want to go. You always think it will happen to someone else.
My own view on that is a little different. I was involved in three sports where the objective risk of death was high, and we absolutely knew it. We never assumed those statistics didn't apply to us; in fact I think that's why most people eventually give up. One of Joe Simpson's books describes in the introduction the moment when he decided to change his own attitude to those risks.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
phil_w wrote:
One of Joe Simpson's books describes in the introduction the moment when he decided to change his own attitude to those risks.
…and for many of us, that occurred when we decided to have kids.
One of Joe Simpson's books describes in the introduction the moment when he decided to change his own attitude to those risks.
…and for many of us, that occurred when we decided to have kids.
That makes sense to me, but I have been shouted down by snowHeads before on this topic and, of course, Hilaree Nelson would have disagreed.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Hurtle wrote:
Scooter in Seattle wrote:
phil_w wrote:
One of Joe Simpson's books describes in the introduction the moment when he decided to change his own attitude to those risks.
…and for many of us, that occurred when we decided to have kids.
That makes sense to me, but I have been shouted down by snowHeads before on this topic and, of course, Hilaree Nelson would have disagreed.
Yep shades of the Alison Hargreaves and Shane McConkey stories for me (not that those 2 were the only ones to perish with kids but more stories I am very familiar with). I suspect that most of society has a "nurture" trait which kicks in and starts to put an imperative on survival and providing for kids, those with extreme versions of the achievement/adrenalin trait don't have such a moderating effect from teh survival element - maybe because its a higher peak to adjust from. Mind you it is clearly not limited to action sports, plenty of career high flyers burn out mentally and end up neglecting relationships or otherwise end up not "surviving" for the kids as do others through addiction etc. It's the addiction analogy that is most problematic. Chasing astonishing human achievements is just viewed as more noble than 2 bottles of Hennessy a day.
After all it is free
After all it is free
@Dave of the Marmottes,
Quote:
It's the addiction analogy that is most problematic. Chasing astonishing human achievements is just viewed as more noble than 2 bottles of Hennessy a day.
Interesting point. I hadn't really looked on this kind of thing as a genuine addiction before. Makes sense.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
We've all put the welfare of our families at risk at times, in big ways (spending too much time at the office, sending little kids away to boarding school) or small (nagging about tidiness and leaving toilet seats up, spending too much time on social media, spending too much money on getting roots touched up). If I was to lose a loved parent, or partner, I'd prefer they'd died doing something amazing in a mountain rather than having a heart attack as a result of lolling fatly on a sofa or driving a motorbike too fast round a bend - both activities which create far more orphans and bereaved partners than extreme mountaineering.
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Ski the Net with snowHeads
@phil_w, perhaps with experience you begin to understand that the "someone else" could well be you next time. I suspect it is an age thing too, at 20 we think we are indestructible, by the time 40 comes along we are not so sure and by 60 we know for certain and want to try to ensure we are still around for 80!
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
@Hurtle, I'd add that there is a probably a bit of societal everyday sexism in the way we consider e.g. Hargreaves or Nelson vs men who die in a noble but tragic pursuit.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
@Dave of the Marmottes, I think McConkey was the person I got flamed about before, though not sure without searching. In my mind there is no difference, it's traumatic for a child whichever parent they lose.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
@pam w, wow, that's a very long list of whatabouts!
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
It's not true that people who "do risky sports" don't understand their risk or think it applies to us - that's an assertion but it's wrong.
I have many dead friends from various sports. They all knew the risks and that they apply to all of us. We take precautions and carry strong drugs precisely because of those risks. Most people will end up knowing the names of people they know who died. It's just insulting to suggest we aren't able to deal with that. It's nonsense. I'll be riding helicopters and snowboards all season, and there's a finite possibility that will be fatal irrespective of what I do.
By all means cower at home marvelling at crazy people who "don't think risk applies to them": most people who ride in or drive cars; tobacco users; people who eat junk food.
I don't buy the "addiction" analogy either. Most addicts I've known were desperately trying to kick the habit, but that's not how it works with so-called "extreme sports". Quitting the most dangerous stuff is quick and easy - read Simpson for an eloquent description. And unlike drugs, alcohol or tobacco, most people (including Simpson) just adjust their risk level. They don't quit completely, and there's no "relapse" concept. The analogy is inappropriate.
pamw wrote:
... If I was to lose a loved parent, or partner, I'd prefer they'd died doing something amazing ...
This. I'd add detail: "doing something risky and amazing in full knowledge of both things".
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
BobinCH wrote:
OMG
It’s a miracle anyone survived that
Just to say that I thought quite a bit before posting that as it seems a bit voyeuristic given that people below died or were injured, and I guess it is. However the scale of the thing is just unbelievable.
I think Hilaree Nelson had a fall higher up the mountain.
I don't know about the risks and kids. Women... mothers seem to be treated unfairly. (as DoM said above)
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
@phil_w, I think addiction works on multiple levels - not everyone is trying to kick the habit actively and functioning addicts don't necessarily even recognise it. Chasing heli highs probably has at least some of the characteristics no matter how risk aware and accepting you are. When your gig is climbing and skiing the biggest mountains in the world it's hard to dial that back to lesser objectives that don't have the same wow/sponsor pleasing factor. And I don't think people are taking risks just for the paycheck - it is for a passion. After watching Free Solo I fully expected Alex Honnold to be one of the names of the dear departed at some time in the next decade, who knows if having a daughter will change the paradigm there.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
These extreme adventurers are a different breed. Didn’t they do some evaluation of Alex Honnold and conclude his brain was wired differently?
The Canadian guy (who sadly died) from The Alpinist was also quite a character.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
BobinCH wrote:
The Canadian guy (who sadly died) from The Alpinist was also quite a character.
As a retired trad climber with some mixed condition alpine experience - the stuff Marc-Andre Leclerc was doing in the Alpinist blew my mind. It actually made me anxious watching it. It was much much more intense and high stakes than Honnold in Free Solo. Alpinist is a powerful film about the inevitability of what comes with high stakes alpinism.
Got to love those sherpas at the end reeling off all their climbs so that some can do it once.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Hurtle wrote:
adithorp wrote:
Tragic news, especially for her 2 sons.
Indeed. I calculate they're about 14 and 16. So very hard for them. I always have mixed feelings about parents (of children who are not yet adult) who court danger.
Hypothetically speaking, given Hilaree couldn’t or wouldn’t give up her mountaineering career, should she not have her 2 sons?
Indeed. I calculate they're about 14 and 16. So very hard for them. I always have mixed feelings about parents (of children who are not yet adult) who court danger.
Hypothetically speaking, given Hilaree couldn’t or wouldn’t give up her mountaineering career, should she not have her 2 sons?
But what an inspiring parent!!! Playing the devils advocate - what about soldiers, absent business(wo)men, even divorcee’s etc. They all put themselves before their children. At 14 and 16 they’ll be pretty well formed. Wonder if the kids of these extreme adventurers typically do well in life or are scarred by the experience?
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
I think whataboutery is well justified here - making judgements about other people's family values and choices is a precarious business. I haven't inflicted extreme mountaineering exploits, or a divorce, on my kids (though I they did wave me off with what turned out to be an incompetent skipper to sail from Barbados to what turned out to be the wrong Windard Island) but two of them did go to boarding school when we were working in Fiji and I regret it. We should have taken them with us and put them in whatever school was available locally - they were bright kids, they'd have coped without UK GCSEs. I don't think boarding school is good for kids unless it's an alternative to a horrendous home life. But there is also massive evidence that divorce hits kids of all age quite hard, and we don't generally go round suggesting that divorcees shouldn't have had kids.
As the poet said - they fuck you up, your Mum and Dad.
After all it is free
After all it is free
Dave of the Marmottes wrote:
@Hurtle, I'd add that there is a probably a bit of societal everyday sexism in the way we consider e.g. Hargreaves or Nelson vs men who die in a noble but tragic pursuit.
abc wrote:
Hypothetically speaking, given Hilaree couldn’t or wouldn’t give up her mountaineering career, should she not have her 2 sons?
Good article below on that topic...
Tragic as it is... I wouldn't critisce anyone who live their life to the full / as they thought best.
No one knew the risks more than Hilaree Nelson herself.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
@pam w,
Quote:
making judgements about other people's family values and choices is a precarious business
I wasn't making a judgment, I deliberately said I had mixed feelings.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
BobinCH wrote:
abc wrote:
Hurtle wrote:
adithorp wrote:
Tragic news, especially for her 2 sons.
Indeed. I calculate they're about 14 and 16. So very hard for them. I always have mixed feelings about parents (of children who are not yet adult) who court danger.
Hypothetically speaking, given Hilaree couldn’t or wouldn’t give up her mountaineering career, should she not have her 2 sons?
But what an inspiring parent!!! Playing the devils advocate - what about soldiers, absent business(wo)men, even divorcee’s etc. They all put themselves before their children. At 14 and 16 they’ll be pretty well formed. Wonder if the kids of these extreme adventurers typically do well in life or are scarred by the experience?
Well there's a good film about Tom Hargreaves. Perished similarly to his mum.
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
Peace be with us all. Pray for her family and community which is broadly stretched across our planet.
