Hilaree Nelson: ski mountaineer (1972-2022)

Among the most accomplished alpinists ever. A champion extreme skier from a young age, transitioning to ski mountaineering in the late 1990s to become one of the strongest and most respected athletes in the sport. 

2002: completed the first ski descent of five peaks in Mongolia's Altai mountains. 

2005: skied from the summit of 26,864 ft Cho Oyu without using oxygen. 

2012: became the first woman to link two 8,000 m peaks - Everest and Lhotse - in one 24-hour climb. 

The first woman to ski the Makalu La Couloir on 27,825 ft Makalu.

According to anyone who knew her, the kindest soul with an open, adventurous spirit we can all learn from.

In September 2023, rescuers located her body on the southern slope of Manaslu, Nepal where she was skiing down from the peak's true summit with Jim Morrison (her partner in life and climbing).