The Hillary Step: The Lost Landmark of Mount Everest

The legendary Hillary Step, once a formidable rock face on Mount Everest, has changed forever. Discover what happened, why it matters, and how it affects climbers today.

What Was the Hillary-Step?

The Hillary Step was a prominent and challenging feature on the Southeast Ridge of Mount Everest, located at an altitude of 8,790 meters (28,839 feet). Just a short distance below the summit, this 12-meter (39-foot) vertical rock face stood as one of the final and most iconic obstacles for climbers attempting the summit via the South Col route from Nepal. The feature was named after Sir Edmund Hillary, who, along with Tenzing Norgay, became the first confirmed climbers to reach the summit of Everest in 1953. During their historic ascent, Hillary famously led the way up this section, cutting steps into the snow and ice to gain the ridge above.

For decades, the Hillary Step was considered one of the most technically demanding parts of the standard route. While not extremely difficult by modern climbing standards, it was especially challenging due to the altitude, exhaustion, and exposure. Climbers had to navigate this nearly vertical rock pitch while wearing bulky high-altitude gear, often in sub-zero temperatures and high winds. The fixed ropes anchored by Sherpa teams and expedition leaders were essential here, as a fall could be fatal.

The narrow nature of the Step also made it a notorious bottleneck, particularly during summit pushes. Only one climber could ascend or descend at a time, and on crowded days, delays were common. These delays could be dangerous, exposing climbers to frostbite, oxygen depletion, and deteriorating weather conditions.

In recent years, reports began to emerge that the Hillary Step had either collapsed or been significantly altered following the devastating 2015 Nepal earthquake. Climbers returning to Everest in 2016 and 2017 noted that the once-prominent rock face appeared to have changed shape or crumbled, possibly replaced by a steep snow slope. While some debate continued over the extent of the damage, most accounts agreed that the feature no longer resembled the sharp, technical rock face that had challenged generations of climbers. Its disappearance or transformation has arguably made the final stretch to the summit slightly easier and less congested, but many in the mountaineering community see its loss as the end of an era.

The Hillary Step remains a symbol of the early days of Himalayan climbing, a point where courage, endurance, and skill converged just below the roof of the world. Though the terrain has changed, the legacy of this legendary feature and the climbers who first tackled it continues to inspire mountaineers from around the globe.

What Happened to the Hillary Step?

In April 2015, Nepal was struck by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake, causing significant geological shifts. Subsequent reports from climbers suggested that the Hillary Step had collapsed or undergone major changes. By 2017, mountaineers confirmed that the original rock formation had transformed into a series of step-like rocks.

How Has the Collapse Affected Climbers?

The loss of the Hillary Step has altered the climbing dynamics near the summit:

• Easier Ascent? The new formation might make the final stretch less technically difficult, as climbers no longer need to tackle a sheer rock face.

• More Traffic Jams? The altered terrain could lead to bottlenecks near the summit, as multiple climbers ascend side by side instead of in single file.

• Changing Everest Expeditions: The shift has led to updated climbing strategies and route adjustments for guided expeditions.

Why the Hillary Step Matters

The collapse of the Hillary Step marks a significant change in Everest’s history. It is a stark reminder of how natural forces continue to reshape even the highest points on Earth. While some climbers lament the loss of an iconic challenge, others appreciate a slightly less daunting final ascent.

Whether the collapse makes Everest easier or harder is still debated among mountaineers. However, one thing is certain: climbing Everest remains one of the greatest challenges in the world.

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