New Documentary Tracks Historic Everest Climb and Ski Descent

Jim Morrison and his partner Hilaree Nelson set out to summit Mount Everest's north side and ski down it, a feat accomplished by only five people before them with no one ever skiing it. The new documentary film "Everest: The Other Side," directed by "Free Solo" filmmakers Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, chronicles this high-stakes mission.

Tragedy on the Slopes

The project shifted dramatically when tragedy struck during a preparatory expedition in Nepal. While waiting to attempt Everest, Nelson and Morrison reached a mountain peak, but a sheet of snow gave way under Nelson's skis, causing a fatal avalanche. Morrison recovered her body two days later, and the harrowing events were captured on camera. Nelson left behind two boys, and the documentary follows them growing up as the years pass.

A Grief-Driven Quest

Despite the loss, Morrison resolved to finish the Everest mission from his lakeside Tahoe home just months later. Morrison had previously lost his wife Katie and two children, Wyatt and Hannah, in a plane crash. Chin accompanied Morrison on an aborted ascent and a successful attempt in 2025. During the climbs, some Sherpas grew wary of the risks, and Morrison was outfitted by his sponsor, The North Face. Morrison eventually completed a four-hour ski descent down the peak.

Release Details

Distributed by the Walt Disney Co. and arriving in theaters on Friday, the film runs 115 minutes and holds a PG-13 rating from the Motion Picture Association for thematic material and brief strong language. The reviewers awarded the film two and a half stars out of four.

Context

Mount Everest's north side is known for being extremely difficult and far less crowded than the popular south face. Documentaries about extreme high-altitude sports often balance the thrill of athletic achievement against the very real dangers faced by climbers and their families.