EVEREST — 1996 · Major Tragedy
The 1996 Everest Disaster
On 10-11 May 1996, many climbers descending from the summit of Everest were caught in a sudden blizzard, and eight people died. They included experienced guides Rob Hall and Scott Fischer, who led commercial expeditions; on the North Face, three Indian border police climbers died. In total, 12 people died attempting the summit that season. Climbers pushing on past agreed turnaround times and bottlenecks at narrow sections were decisive in leaving them exposed to the storm. The disaster sparked a worldwide debate about the commercialisation of Everest and the guiding of inexperienced clients to the summit for high fees. Journalist Jon Krakauer's book 'Into Thin Air' brought the events to a mass audience.
- Date
- 1996
- Place
- South Col route, Solukhumbu, Nepal, Everest, NP
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 27.9881, 86.9250 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 10 May 1996Many climbers reached the summit late; a blizzard set in.
- 10-11 May 1996Eight climbers died on the South Col route and the North Face.
- May 1996The season's death toll rose to 12.
- 1997'Into Thin Air' was published, widening the debate.
Sources
- Los Angeles Times — Climbing veterans call Everest deaths inevitable (1996) latimes.com ↗
- PBS Frontline — Storm Over Everest pbs.org ↗
- Wikipedia — 1996 Mount Everest disaster en.wikipedia.org ↗
- Los Angeles Times
- PBS Frontline
- Wikipedia
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.