07/02/2025
What Happend to Hillary Step?
The Hillary Step, a near-vertical 12-meter (39-foot) rock face situated at approximately 8,790 meters (28,839 feet) above sea level, was a renowned feature just below Mount Everest’s summit. Named after Sir Edmund Hillary, who, along with Tenzing Norgay, first ascended it during their historic 1953 climb, it was considered one of the most challenging parts of the standard South Col route to the summit.
In 2015, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal, causing significant geological changes in the region.
Subsequent reports from mountaineers indicated that the Hillary Step had collapsed or altered substantially, likely due to the earthquake’s impact.
By 2017, climbers confirmed that the original rock formation had indeed changed, transforming the once formidable vertical rock face into a series of step-like rocks. This alteration has affected the climbing dynamics near the summit, potentially making this section either easier or more challenging, depending on conditions.