How the 2015 Earthquake Changed the Everest Summit
For decades, the Hillary Step was the most feared obstacle on the Mount Everest summit ridge. But after the 2015 earthquake, everything changed. What does this mean for future expeditions?
Climbers report that the massive rock step has collapsed into a snow slope. This change has physically altered the final approach to the Mount Everest summit forever.
While the rock climb is gone, the new snow slope can be more prone to cornices. It remains a serious challenge for any Mount Everest expedition, requiring careful footwork.
Even without the vertical rock, the step remains a bottleneck. Managing the flow of climbers near the Mount Everest summit is still the biggest logistical hurdle on a busy day.
Everest is a living mountain. The change at the Hillary Step is a reminder that even the Mount Everest summit is not immune to the forces of nature.
