Jim Morrison Skied Down Everest's North Face After Partner's Death

Only five people had ever reached the summit of Mount Everest's north face before Jim Morrison and Hilaree Nelson attempted the climb in 2025. No one in history had previously skied down that specific side of the world's highest peak.

The documentary Everest: The Other Side chronicles this specific athletic goal while also detailing the grief that preceded it. Morrison and Nelson, who were partners both in life and on the mountain, died in a similar expedition in 2022. While waiting for weather conditions to clear for Everest, they summited a different mountain in Nepal. Nelson died in an avalanche shortly after beginning her descent.

Filmmakers Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, known for their work on Free Solo, captured the event in high definition. The film shows Nelson's fall and Morrison's recovery of her body two days later. Vasarhelyi notes on screen that the worst possible outcome for the crew occurred during production. The death reshaped the narrative from a story of pure triumph to one involving loss.

Nelson left behind two sons. The documentary follows their growth over the years following her death. Morrison, who lives in Tahoe, decided to continue with the Everest project within months of the accident. He had previously lost his first wife, Katie, and two children, Wyatt and Hannah, in a plane crash. Morrison stated he resolved to live for those who had passed.

Chin, a decorated climber who skied down the south face of Everest in 2006, accompanied Morrison on the expedition. The film highlights the personal risks the filmmakers take by working in these environments. Vasarhelyi asks Chin how many people who had eaten at their dinner table had since died. The couple divorced in 2025, though the film does not mention their separation.

Morrison's team faced challenges during the first attempt in 2025. Sherpas expressed concern about the risks involved in the climb. Morrison, who was outfitted by North Face, proceeded with the ascent. The second attempt was successful. The descent lasted four hours.

The filmmakers noted that the snow conditions during the descent were rock hard. Morrison described the slope as the raddest ski line in the world. The film ends with Morrison completing the descent, having achieved a feat that had never been done before on that face of the mountain.