The 1996 Everest Disaster: What Happened, and What Changed

On 10—11 May 1996, a storm caught climbers high on Mount Everest and eight people died — among them two of the most respected commercial expedition leaders in the world. It became the most written-about day in the mountain's history, largely through Jon…

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What happened

Two commercial teams went for the summit on 10 May: Adventure Consultants , led by New Zealander Rob Hall, and Mountain Madness , led by the American Scott Fischer. Both were experienced, professional outfits. Several things then went wrong at once. Fixed…

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The lessons that changed guided climbing

The disaster forced the guiding industry to confront how it managed clients at altitude, and much of today's standard practice traces back to it. Hard turnaround times — a fixed hour after which you go down whether or not you have summited — became…

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You can meet Everest without entering the death zone

Almost everyone who loves this mountain sees it from below, on foot, and comes home. The trek to Everest Base Camp stops at 5,364 m — high enough to feel the altitude, well below the zone where 1996 unfolded — and it is where the great majority of Everest…

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Walk to Base Camp with a Khumbu team

Two routes to the foot of the mountain, guided by climbers who know it: Everest Base Camp Trek — 14 days · the classic, properly acclimatised walk-in EBC & Cho La Pass Trek — 15 days · the high-pass route via Gokyo Message us on WhatsApp at +45…

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