Autumn 2025: Deadly Season Across the Himalaya
The 2025 Himalayan Autumn climbing has been a deadly one with multiple deaths across several mountains. Similarly, several events occurred in the Alps, taking five lives. Authorities had warned strongly about heavy snow in the Himalaya and advised climbers and trekkers to pause all activity for a few days.
Autumn 2025: Dire Weather for Himalays Ahead, Everest NF Ski Descent Film Teaser
Authorities and meteorologists are issuing dire warnings for climbers and trekkers in Nepal’s Himalayas. Seizing the opportunity to pre-market the documentary of Jim Morrison’s legendary ski descent down Everest’s North Face, National Geographic released a short teaser revealing the scale and courage it took to complete this feat. A Russian team opens a new route on Manaslu.
The recent heavy snowfall across both sides of Everest created a host of false and poorly written and researched articles about “stranded climbers on Everest.” The only climbers on Everest were the NatGeo ski team and they were never stranded. Many teams of seasonal trekkers were stranded in Tibet’s Kama (or Karma) Valley, east of Mount Everest, but all were rescued by local villagers and SARs teams. Bottom line is there was drama but nothing to get seriously worked up over.
As the Himalayan season winds down climbing action picks up on Puncak Jaya or Carstensz Pyramid on the island of New Guinea, Kilimanjaro, Antartica’s Vinson Massif and around the New Years, Argentina’s Aconcagua.
Podcast with Peter Hillary
New Zealander Peter Hillary needs no introduction, as his last name recalls the historic achievement of his father, Sir Edmund Hillary, who, along with Tenzing Norgay, first summited Mt. Everest on May 29, 1953.
An adventurer in his own right, Peter has undertaken over 40 expeditions and adventures that most of us only dream of. He’s been to the North and South Poles, summited Everest twice, jet-boated the entire length of the Ganges River, and more. He’s also an accomplished author, speaker and adventure guide company operator.
I first met Peter at Everest Base Camp in 2003 and again last month here in Colorado, where I thoroughly enjoyed one of his legendary talks.
In this podcast, we discuss Peter’s relationship with his father, his upbringing, adventures, and the future of mountaineering. We also discuss the Himalayan Trust, a foundation started by his father in 1961 that continues today, building schools, infrastructure, roads, and more throughout Nepal, a country close to Peter’s heart.
Everest just became more expensive and unattractive to some
On September 1, 2025, several new rules were enacted for mountaineering in Nepal. The most significant change was increased permit fees for Nepal’s most popular peaks. The rest of the rules seem like window dressing or distractions designed to mitigate any negative press around the price increase. The Nepal Ministry of Tourism has effectively used this strategy for years.
One proposed rule being marketed by Nepal guides and promoted throughout the press, Nepal and worldwide, is that all Everest permit applicants must have climbed a 7000-meter peak in Nepal. This rule has NOT yet been approved. You can follow its current status at this link, which is listed as “Discussion in Committee” as of September 3, 2025.
Everest 2025: Season Summary
The 2025 Everest expedition has come to a close, marked by strong winds, drones, challenging climbing, and innovative strategies. Along the way were reports of frostbite and helicopter evacuations, but many of these incidents went unreported to avoid negative publicity.
Not all was bad, and one climber stood out: a German alpinist, Anja Blacha, made a near-solo ascent (she summited the same day as 30 other people), unsupported, setting a record. This is something we often overlook in our fast-paced social media world. The overall summit count for both sides of Everest in 2025 is estimated to be around 846, including support climbers such as Sherpas, Tibetans, and Guides. The Himalayan Database will publish what I consider to be the definitive results later this year. #everest2025
Everest 2025: Final Summits?
We may have seen the final summits on both sides of Everest for this Spring season. Also, one of the speed runners gave it one last try to set a record. And Kami Rita extends his record to 31 summits of Everest, leading 59 climbers to the summit.. #everest2025
Everest 2025: Weekend Update May 25–Season Ending Soon
What a week on Everest! We had both regular and unique summits, some of which may have unintended consequences for years to come. On the other 8000ers, the season came to a close with a few inspiring stories. The action is not over quite yet, even with an impending storm threatening to close the Icefall early next week, but allowing the remaining Tibetan side teams to summit a deserted peak. A narrative on descending from the summit of Everest and returning home with lessons from the mountain. #everest2025
Everest 2025: Last Summits on Nepal Side, Tibet Staged
With high winds returning to what has already been a windy season, we can expect the Nepalese side of Everest to become quiet while the Tibetan side will close out with thunder! Look for the last summits of the 2025 Spring season to happen on the north side of Chomolungma.#everest2025
Everest 2025: LIVE Summit Interview with Garrett Madison
THIS IS SPECIAL!!!! Garrett Madison, who is recognized as one of the most accomplished Everest guides in history, spoke with me LIVE from the summit of Everest on May 23, 2025. He has personally reached the summit of Mount Everest 15 times and, as expedition leader, has guided more than 80 clients to the top since 2009—more than any other foreign guide. We spoke at his 15th summit today, May 23, 2025. #everest2025
Everest 2025: Fast Everest Summits 3 or 5 Days?
The 2025 Spring Everest season continues to bring surprises, with summits claimed after leaving home for three and five days, using supplemental oxygen. Meanwhile, others continue to summit the traditional way and enjoy the overall experience, as the season winds down. A cyclone may impact Everest in a few days. #everest2025