Rescuers have recovered the body of missing mountaineer and athlete sponsored by The North Face, Hilaree Nelson, from the southern slope of Mt Manaslu, on Wednesday morning, Nepal government officials confirmed.
“The search and rescue team spotted what looked like ski blades and clothes yesterday, but could not confirm as bad weather prevented them from flying any closer.” Section Officer Bigyan Koirala told Everest Chronicle. “The rescue helicopter started scouring the same areas at 8.30 am today, and spotted the body around 11 am.”
According to Sachindra Yadav, Liaison Officer posted at Makalu Base Camp, the rescuers found her body about 2,000 feet below the summit.
Hilaree and her partner Jim Morrison reached the true summit of the peak on Monday at 11am. Then, the duo began their ski descent with Morrison going first.
While the exact nature of the accident remains unclear, Nelson’s outfitter, Shangri-La Nepal Trek, stated that the accomplished skier lost a ski a few meters below the summit, which caused her to fall of the steep South face of the peak.
