On May 10 and 11, 1996, Mount Everest became the scene of one of its deadliest tragedies when a fierce blizzard trapped climbers near the summit. The mountain, standing 29,029 feet tall, challenged climbers with its harsh conditions, where oxygen levels drop dangerously low in what is known as the Death Zone.
That spring, commercial expeditions led by Rob Hall of New Zealand’s Adventure Consultants and American Scott Fischer’s Mountain Madness brought climbers of varying experience to Everest. On May 10, 33 climbers began their summit push from Camp IV, aiming to reach the top by 2 p.m. to ensure a timely and safe descent.
Delays at the Hillary Step, caused by fixed ropes not being in place, forced many climbers to wait in the thin air, depleting their oxygen supplies. Many summited late, around 5 p.m., exposing them to a sudden, violent storm. The blizzard severely reduced visibility, brought brutal cold, and buried critical climbing equipment.
Eight climbers died in the storm, including Rob Hall, who refused to abandon a collapsing client, and Scott Fischer, found frozen near 27,500 feet. Three members of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police also perished on the Northeast Ridge.
Amid the tragedy were remarkable stories of survival. Beck Weathers, blinded and left for dead, managed to return to camp against all odds. Guides like Anatoli Boukreev earned mixed reviews for their roles—some criticized his decision to descend early, while others praised his later heroic rescues.
The disaster highlighted the dangerous allure of Everest, increasingly commercialized and drawing climbers with varied skills. It remains a grim reminder of nature’s unpredictability and the perils of high-altitude mountaineering.
