Body of famed Colorado skier recovered in the Himalayas
DENVER, Colo. (KRDO) -- Search crews have recovered the body of the missing professional skier from Telluride in the Himalayas, according to 9NEWS.
Monday, Hilaree Nelson went missing below the summit of Mt. Manaslu in Nepal. According to the Associated Press, Nelson was skiing with her partner down the summit when she fell off the mountain.
Representatives with The North Face confirmed the body on Sept. 28 at 10:30 a.m. Nepali time, the search and rescue team recovered Nelson's body at 22,000 feet on Manaslu.
Wednesday, search crews recovered Nelson's body and transported her to a hospital in Kathmandu where doctors scheduled to perform an autopsy on her body.
Nelson was a professional ski mountaineer and Team Caption for The North Face Athlete.
According to The North Face, Nelson's career began more than two decades ago. Since then, she's traveled the world through more than 40 expeditions in 16 different countries. In her bio, she's described as "the most prolific ski mountaineer of her generation."
The North Face released the following statement following the news of her recovery:
Today we lost our hero, mentor, and our friend. Hilaree Nelson held a spirit as big as the places she led us to. She embodied possibility. Her adventures made us feel at home in the vastness of the world.
On September 26, 2022, Hilaree reached the true summit of Manaslu with her climbing and life partner Jim Morrison. During her ski descent, Hilaree was swept off her feet by moving snow, resulting in a fall down the south face of Manaslu.
For us, Hilaree transcended the idea of an athlete, a sport or a community. She helped lead our family at The North Face, by being a teammate and team captain who changed our perspective of the outdoors by showing us exactly what it can mean. Her light will forever be an offering, and her optimism in the face of adversity, will forever be our guide.
Our hearts are with Hilaree’s children, her family and her steadfast partner, Jim Morrison.
The North Face
Nelson's skiing and life partner, Jim Morrison, released a statement on Instagram, recounting the incident and describing how there aren't words to describe the love he had for her.
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.
Jim Morrison
I’m devastated by the loss of her.’
According to 9News, she leaves behind two children.
