Hillary Step on Everest: History, Location and Altitude
Marked section is a Hillary Step
What could be the final barrier between you and the Everest summit? The final hurdle is the Hillary Step. It is the only thing between you and the glory of conquering Everest.
The Hillary Step is at approximately 8,790 meters on the Southeast ridge of Everest. The Step is a nearly vertical rock face located below the summit. For decades, Hillary Step was the final and most challenging obstacle on the Nepali Route. The first one to climb it was Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953.
The Hillary Step represented the last true barrier before the summit. A climber needed skill, strength, and mental fortitude to cross the obstacle. Over time, it became known for different reasons. The long queues began forming, creating concerns of overcrowding. With the risk of the Death Zone, the queue is called the Death Queue.
Facts about the Hillary Step:
Elevation: 8,790 meters
Height: 12 meters or 39 Feet
Location: latitude: 27°59'8.05" and longitude: 86°55'29.27"
First Climbed: May 29, 1953
Difficulty Rating: Class 4/5 (pre-2015)
Known Bottleneck Deaths: Several were indirectly due to delays
Where is the Hillary Step? What is it?
The Hillary Step is a rock face on the Southeast ridge of Mount Everest. It was known for being near vertical and just below the summit. It’s located at a latitude of 27°59'8.05" and a longitude of 86°55'29.27". Moreover, it sits at an altitude of 8,790 meters or 28,838 feet.
Located within the Death Zone, Hillary Step is a formidable obstacle. Moreover, the rock face was measured at 12 meters or 39 feet in height. It stood between climbers and the summit.
Mountaineers carefully manoeuvre on the steep drop-offs. Kangshung Face to the east and the Southwest Face to the west were precarious to climb.
For decades, the step was considered the most challenging part on the Nepali side. Sitting just below the summit, this 12-meter rock demanded everything from a climber. The mountaineer had to have balance, rope skills, and mental grit. And let’s not forget the extreme altitude of the Death Zone.
So, what is the Hillary Step? The Hillary Step on Everest is the last hurdle before the summit. It is the line between despair and triumph. If you cross it, you will summit Everest. But if you fall short, you lose it all. In essence, it is the final test of will and skill Everest throws at you.
Why is it called the Hillary Step?
Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first to summit Everest in 1953. As the first person to ascend through it, the rock face was named Hillary Step. They titled the obstacle to Edmund’s feat.
Few own the sheer determination and ice axe skills to scale the step. The challenge turned the Hillary Step a symbol of achievement.
A moment that made History: The 1953 Expedition and the Hillary Step
Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first people to summit Everest. However, it was anything but easy for the duo. The climb to the top of the world was taxing and challenged their lives. But the 1953 British Everest Expedition left a mark in the history books.
On May 29, 1953, Edmund and Hillary reached the rock face at 8,790 feet. The encounter with the rocky obstacle created a life-or-death decision. So, taking his ice axe in hand, Hillary led the charge. He led by cutting steps in the ice and using ropes to secure the climb. What he said about his method was simple.
Edmund Hillary said, “wriggling my way up a crack between the rock and ice.” This activity made Hillary a mountaineering legend.
The successful ascent of the rock face below the summit wasn’t just a physical feat. It became a symbol of human triumph over nature’s most extreme conditions. None reached the summit before Hillary and Tenzing.
Has Climbing the Hillary Step Changed?
As time flows, surely, many things change. And the way of climbing the Hillary Step did change. Before the boom of commercial guided expeditions, it was man versus the rock. After learning to use ropes to ascend, the style of climbing evolved dramatically.
Fixed Ropes:
These days, fixed ropes are installed by Sherpa teams each season. The use of fixed ropes assists hundreds of climbers on the Hillary Step.
Guided Expeditions:
Guided commercial expeditions made the Hillary Step more accessible. They provide help and supplemental oxygen to their clients. This made the step more crowded.
Choke Point and Traffic Jams:
Climbing the Hillary Step was a daring solo challenge. Now, it turned into a choke point. The step is prone to traffic jams. Dozens of climbers wait their turn to pass the Hillary Step. This exposes the mountaineers to deadly wind and altitude.
Why the Hillary Step Mattered?
Every Everest climber states that the Hillary Step wasn’t just a rocky obstacle. It was a reckoning for mental and physical prowess. The climb of hours through the dark already exhausts a climber.
Mountaineers would face one final enemy at their absolute limits. The summit is finally within reach, less than an hour away. But the Hillary Step stans in their way.
Many climbers find the psychological impact too great. The air is thinner than a razor blade. Their bodies pushed to the limit, and their mind foggy from exhaustion. And as they look up, the Hillary Step faces them with no sign of weakness. It takes everything and more for the climbers to get over the final step.
Some turn back, and others misjudge the effort. These days, the Hillary Step is infamous for its bottleneck. The narrow and treacherous path allows only one person to ascend or descend the Step. Moreover, in peak season, long queues can form. Climbers in the dozens wait for their turn.
The Death Queue exposes the climbers to extreme cold, wind, and delays. Despite all this, the Hillary Step is a point of hope. Once done, you reach the summit of Everest. After crossing the step, the world’s roof is less than an hour away. A climber takes one final breathless climb to the highest point on Earth.
The Hillary Step matters as a milestone. It is an indication of the summit. It is a point where the decision to turn back or stand on top of the world weighs heavily on a climber.
How hard is Hillary Step?
Hillary Step was counted as among the most challenging parts of Everest. But that was before the deadly 2015 Nepal Earthquake. The height alone made it one of the most nerve-wracking sights on Everest. The Step was altered after the disaster in 2015.
Technical Difficulty (Before 2015 Earthquake):
The Hillary Step was a Class 4 to 5 before the devastating earthquake in 2015. It required advanced mountaineering skills. A climber had to:
Place a front-point with crampons on solid rock
Use ice axes and fixed ropes with precision
Navigate a vertical or near-vertical face, often iced over or dusted in powdery snow
Tread carefully along a narrow path between fatal drops on both sides.
Gears and support aren’t the only things needed to climb the Hillary Step. The obstacle demanded complete focus and calm nerves. One misstep could be fatal or stop the summit push cold.
Altitude Challenge:
Any climber could scale a 12-meter rock in normal circumstances. The shape and size of the Hillary Step weren’t what made it brutal. The location, inside the Death Zone, made the climb so dreadful. The Step is at an elevation of 8,790 meters.
Oxygen levels at this height are only about 33% of those at sea level.
Every movement feels slow, heavy, and disorienting.
Judgment, balance, and coordination are all impaired at the key moment they matter.
Climbers reaching the Hillary Step are running on fumes. The push from South Col or Camp IV in freezing darkness drains any climber. Mountaineers need to summon every drop of strength and clarity to cross the final hurdle.
Physical + Mental Toll:
Climbers finally reach the Hillary step after days of climbing. And they had acclimatized for weeks. And when they face the vertical rock face, they face one final psychological test.
Many climbers either reach the make-or-break moment. Delaying or hesitating could cost them precious time, oxygen, or even a summit chance. Failure at Hillary Step doesn’t only mean turning around. The climber will carry the weight of what could have been.
What about post-2015?
After the disastrous earthquake in 2015, climbers and Sherpas reported an altered shape. It’s often described as more of a steep snow-covered slope. While it lowered the technical difficulty, it hasn’t eliminated the dangers.
Loose rocks and unstable snow pose new risks.
More climbers move through faster, causing an increased bottleneck.
Exposure to wind, cold, and exhaustion remains severe.
What happened to Hillary Step?
The 2015 Nepal Earthquake killed thousands of people. It displaced and injured even more. Likewise, it became one of the deadliest events on Everest. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg. The earthquake also changed the shape of Hillary Step.
By 2016 and 2017, the keyword “Hillary Step collapsed” spread like wildfire online. Climbers returning from the summit reported that the rock face looked different.
Also, the pictures of Hillary Step before and after appeared noticeably different. The wall that was the final hurdle looked more like a snow-covered slope.
Many Sherpas confirmed the changes. They stated the feature had shifted or crumbled due to the earthquake. The Hillary Step was scattered and a stack of broken rocks. The freeze-thaw eroded the iconic rock face even more.
Yet Not all Agree!
Some insisted the Hillary Step was only buried under snow and ice. But veteran guides and returning climbers confirmed the rock had been significantly altered. If not, it collapsed entirely.
Satellite imagery and side-by-side photo comparisons support the structural change. Conclusive proof of the collapse of Hillary Step eludes even today. Everest’s shifting weather, snowpack, and obstructed view keep the truth hidden.
The Hillary Step Today
Collapsed or not, Hillary Step is no longer gatekeeping the summit. It was the unconquerable defence of Everest. But after Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, thousands of climbers summited Everest.
The route now resembles a steep scramble. It is often covered with a blanket of snow. Today, the Hillary Step requires far less vertical technical climb than before. While it is easier on paper, it still lies within the Death Zone. The altitude, exhaustion, and the climate make it perilous.
Fixed ropes are installed each season for the climbers. The Sherpa team, with far more knowledge than before, makes the journey safer. With guided climbers, the Hillary Step and the summit became a breeze.
Deaths at the Hillary Step
The Hillary Step is a renowned part of Everest. But it plays a grim role in the mountain’s history. The final Step sees many bottlenecks over the years. The traffic jam can be fatal as it’s located within the Death Zone.
The bottleneck in the Hillary Step became a reason for many tragic incidents. Either directly or indirectly, the narrow path has contributed to many deaths.
Notable incidents:
David Sharp 2006:
David Sharp was a British climber who died below the Hillary Step. David was seen hypothermic and out of oxygen near Green Boots. Many believe his time in the Death Zone was the reason for his demise.
Many climbers and Sherpas passed through David. Some of the climbers did try to help Sharp. But he was too weak to take the helping hand. Sharp’s death raised a global debate on ethics during the Everest climb.
Bruce Herrod 1996:
The Everest Disaster 1996 caused many fatalities. Bruce Herrod wasn’t one of the victims of the incident. He died after entangling with an old climbing rope at the Hillary Step.
One year later, Herrod was discovered by another 1996 Everest survivor. Anatoli Boukreev found Bruce still tangled in the rope. Anatoli also found Herrod’s camera.
Subrata Ghosh 2025:
The Indian climber Subrata Ghosh passed away near the Hillary Step. The late Ghosh had summited 13 peaks. But Subrata lost his life on the world’s highest peak. Likewise, he is the second fatality reported on the 2025 season.
Risks in the Zone
The risks on Everest come from many sources. But the dangers found on Hillary Step remain constant. The climbers face these risks while on the Step:
Risks of falling:
A slip from the icy rock can be fatal. Moreover, their margin of error is unforgiving.
Exhaustion and Hypoxia:
Climbers have little oxygen to work with. Likewise, the body and brain deteriorate quickly.
Frostbite:
Climbers waiting at the Hillary Step face severe frostbite. The zero temperature can cause irreversible damage to the mountaineers.
Bottleneck effect:
The single-file passage means little chance of turning back or overtaking. It traps climbers in a deadly traffic jam. It is also called the death queue.
The Hillary Step in Everest Culture
Few things on Everest have captured the imagination like the Hillary Step. Though measured at only 12 meters high, the rock face is a symbol of Everest. The tale about the Step appeared in many books, films, and documentaries. Moreover, countless climbers share their stories about the climb.
Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air describes the 1996 Everest disaster in depth. But Jon also pictured the Hillary Step as a nerve-wracking test before the summit. Krakauer’s narrative solidifies the Hillary Step as a legendary landmark.
In many documentaries, the Hillary Step remains a focal point. The 2015 film Everest had a tension-filled scene at the legendary landmark. Countless climber memoirs and blogs paint their moment on the Step. The feeling of awe, dread, and reverence is common in all reports.
The Hillary Step induced fear in many climbers. Many mountaineers also conquered the landmark. But none ever forgot Hillary Step.
Hillary Step: A rite of passage
Even in its altered state, the Hillary Step is spoken with respect. To many, reaching the Step is a monumental moment.
The Hillary Step marks the transition from danger to possibility. It is the line between struggle and near-victory. For guides and Sherpas, it’s a place where tradition interweaves with responsibility. They offer a light prayer or a silent moment before pushing for the summit.
It may not appear the same. But the Hillary Step still holds weight in Everest culture. It is the final barrier before eternal glory.
Lessons and Legacy of The Hillary Step
The Hillary Step is a teacher, and it has tested many climbers. For decades, it checked the judgment, humility, and respect of mountaineers. While some passed, many climbers failed to return.
Risk, Ego, and Endurance
Climbers were pushed to the limits to reach the Hillary Step. It reminds climbers that ego has no place in the Death Zone. The legendary landmark demanded utmost discipline. Their decision-making was tested repeatedly. Mountaineers' endurance was pushed to the limit. Mentally and physically.
Even Everest Changes
The Hillary Step looked permanent. But the changes after 2015 say otherwise. The 2015 Nepal earthquake shared a humbling lesson. It taught the world that even Everest changed.
The Step’s transformation mirrors our challenges. It revealed climate change, over-tourism, and the ever-evolving face of adventure.
Adapting to the New Era:
As 2025 is in full swing, new climbers of a new era face Everest. The terrain shifts form annually. Weather patterns become less predictable. And the ever-standing Hillary Step has altered.
The Hillary Steo may not stand as it did. Its legacy lives on. It continues to inspire and challenge climbers. The challenges might have shifted. But the danger of crossing the Step remains.
Conclusion: More Than a Step
The Hillary Step isn’t just another rock on a mountain. It is a metaphor for what we face in our climb for greatness. It is a manifestation of the blurry line between ambition and humility.
The final obstacle on Everest challenges every climber standing beneath it. Hillary Step is a legendary landmark, whether in its original state or as it stands today. Its legacy lives on in the hearts of those who climbed it.
Life tests us the most in our final steps to the summit. Like how Everest’s final test is the Hillary steps. You either break through or break in pursuit of greatness.
FAQs:
Can the Hillary Step still be climbed today?
Yes, the Hillary Step is still part of the route and can be climbed. But it has changed its shape since 2015
Is it easier now than before the 2015 earthquake?
Yes. It’s generally less technical now. It resembles a slope rather than a vertical rock face.
What’s the difference between the Hillary Step and Second Step (on the North side)?
The Hillary Step was a natural rock wall on the southeast (Nepal) route. The Second Step is a taller, more technical feature on the north (Tibet) side. But the Second step is aided by a metal ladder.
Do all climbers on the Nepal side pass through it?
Yes! Climbers following the traditional Southeast route must pass the Hillary Step. They either pass through or over the landmark.
What gear is needed to ascend this section?
Climbers use fixed ropes, crampons, harnesses, ice axes, and supplemental oxygen.
