Image copyright STR/AFP/Getty Images Image caption The Hillary Step (pictured as it used to look) was the last big technical challenge before Everest's summit

A famous feature of Mount Everest has collapsed, potentially making the world's highest peak even more dangerous to climbers.

Mountaineers said the Hillary Step may have fallen victim to Nepal's devastating 2015 earthquake.

The near-vertical 12m (39ft) rocky outcrop stood on the mountain's southeast ridge, and was the last great challenge before the top.

It was named after Sir Edmund Hillary, who was the first to scale it in 1953.

British mountaineer Tim Mosedale confirmed the news of the Step's demise on Facebook after reaching the summit on 16 May.

Speaking to the BBC, he said the loss of the Step was "the end of an era".

"It is associated with the history of Everest, and it is a great shame a piece of mountaineering folklore has disappeared," Mr Mosedale said.

Back in May 2016, pictures posted by the American Himalayan Foundation appeared to show that the Hillary Step had changed shape.

But thanks to the snowfall, it was hard to tell for sure. This year, with less snow, it was clear the Step had gone.

Image copyright George W. Hales/Fox Photos/Getty Images Image caption Tenzing Norgay (C), and Edmund Hillary (R), the first men to scale Mount Everest, with Colonel John Hunt (L) who led their 1953 expedition

"It was reported last year, and indeed I climbed it last year, but we weren't sure for certain that 'The Step' had gone because the area was blasted with snow," Mr Mosedale wrote on Facebook.

He concluded: "This year, however, I can report that the chunk of rock named 'The Hillary Step' is definitely not there any more."

Mr Mosedale, who is due to go back up Everest later this month, said he believed the Step was most likely a victim of Nepal's 2015 earthquake.

"It could well just be gravity, but I would suspect the earthquake was the cause," he told the BBC.

Mountaineers claim the snow-covered slope will be much easier to climb than the notorious rock-face, but have warned that it could create a bottleneck.

It is a serious worry for those already battling low oxygen and frostbite conditions at the top of the world.

Speaking to the BBC in 2012, British mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington said getting stuck near the Step could be fatal.

"If it's a perfectly fine day, it doesn't really matter too much if you are delayed for say, an hour and a half, two hours on the Hillary Step, which is just short of the summit.

"If the weather is breaking up, that two-and-a-half hour wait can be a matter of life and death."

The routes up Everest from Nepal and Tibet are already very hazardous, the BBC's Richard Galpin reports. Four climbers were killed on Sunday, he says.

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption A British-born climber is using new methods to scale Mount Everest in half the time.

Get news from the BBC in your inbox, each weekday morning</s>New Delhi: Mountaineers have confirmed that a famous nearly vertical rock face located high on Mount Everest has collapsed.

The development has potentially made the world's highest peak more dangerous and time consuming to climbers.

The Hillary Step is believed to have been damaged during the 2015 Nepal earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people and injured nearly 22,000.

It was suspected in 2016 that the Nepal's devastating 2015 earthquake had altered the Hillary Step, but there was so much snow it was not clear if had truly changed.

However, it was confirmed by climbers including professional high-altitude expedition leader and six-time Everest summiteer Tim Mosedale that 'the Hillary Step is no more'.

British mountaineer Tim Mosedale took to social media to confirm the news of the Step's demise on a Facebook post after reaching the summit on May 16, dubbing the loss as "the end of an era".

The near-vertical 12 metre rocky outcrop stood on the mountain's southeast ridge, and was the last great challenge before the top.

"It is associated with the history of Everest, and it is a great shame a piece of mountaineering folklore has disappeared," Mosedale said.

"It was reported last year, and indeed I climbed it last year, but we weren't sure for certain that 'The Step' had gone because the area was blasted with snow," he wrote on Facebook.

"This year, however, I can report that the chunk of rock named 'The Hillary Step' is definitely not there any more," he added.

Mountaineers claim that the snow-covered slope will be much easier to climb than the notorious vertical rock-face, but loose rocks could also make it difficult and time consuming.

This could create a bottleneck that causes mountaineers to wait at the bottom for hours, leading to life-threatening situations for those already battling low oxygen and frostbite conditions at the top of the world.

The Hillary Step, which is approximately 8,790 metres (28,839 ft) above sea level, was named after Sir Edmund Hillary - the first to scale Mount Everest in 1953 along with Tenzing Norgay.</s>Mountaineers have confirmed that a famous rocky outcrop near the peak of Mount Everest has collapsed, potentially making climbing the mountain more dangerous.

The Hillary Step, named after Edmund Hillary, who, along with the sherpa Tenzing Norgay, was the first person to climb the mountain in 1953, may have been destroyed during the 2015 Nepal earthquake.

The 12m-high rocky outcrop was a nearly vertical climb on the southeast ridge of the mountain.

There had been rumours from climbers on earlier expeditions that the step had been destroyed, but snowy conditions had made it difficult to confirm.

British expedition leader Tim Mosedale, who reached the summit last week, posted a photograph on Facebook and confirmed the destruction of the Hillary Step.

“It’s official - the Hillary Step is no more,” wrote Mosedale.

“It was reported last year, and indeed I climbed it last year, but we weren’t sure for certain that ‘the Step’ had gone because the area was blasted with snow. This year, however, I can report that the chunk of rock named the Hillary Step is definitely not there any more.”

Reports of the step’s destruction began circulating last year due to photographs published by the American Himalayan Foundation. However, snow cover in the pictures made it difficult to say the section had definitely collapsed.

Mosedale, who reached Everest’s summit for the sixth time on May 16th, posted a photograph of what remains of the Hillary Step when he returned to base camp after the climb.

The image shows the mountain’s topography has changed significantly when compared with photographs taken a few years ago.

Located at 8,790m, the Hillary Step was a steep and narrow section considered by climbers to be the last obstacle before the summit, which is at 8,848m.

Its destruction may make the ascent easier - as the climb will no longer involve scaling a vertical rock - or more dangerous - as there may now be limited paths up that part of the mountain, which would mean that climbers would have to wait for long periods in cold temperatures and at a high altitude while others attempted to reach the peak.

“It’s easier going up the snow slope and indeed for inexperienced climbers and mountaineers there’s less ‘climbing’ to be done, making it much easier for them,” Mosedale told Planet Mountain.</s>The Step was most likely a victim of Nepal’s 2015 earthquake

A famous feature of Mount Everest has collapsed, potentially making the world’s highest peak even more dangerous to climbers.

Mountaineers said the Hillary Step may have fallen victim to Nepal’s devastating 2015 earthquake.

The near-vertical 12m (39ft) rocky outcrop stood on the mountain’s southeast ridge, and was the last great challenge before the top.

It was named after Sir Edmund Hillary, who was the first to scale it in 1953.

British mountaineer Tim Mosedale confirmed the news of the Step’s demise on Facebook after reaching the summit on 16 May.

Speaking to the BBC, he said the loss of the Step was “the end of an era”.

“It is associated with the history of Everest, and it is a great shame a piece of mountaineering folklore has disappeared,” Mr Mosedale said.

Back in May 2016, pictures posted by the American Himalayan Foundation appeared to show that the Hillary Step had changed shape.

But thanks to the snowfall, it was hard to tell for sure. This year, with less snow, it was clear the Step had gone.

“It was reported last year, and indeed I climbed it last year, but we weren’t sure for certain that ‘The Step’ had gone because the area was blasted with snow,” Mr Mosedale wrote on Facebook.

He concluded: “This year, however, I can report that the chunk of rock named ‘The Hillary Step’ is definitely not there any more.”

Mr Mosedale, who is due to go back up Everest later this month, said he believed the Step was most likely a victim of Nepal’s 2015 earthquake.

“It could well just be gravity, but I would suspect the earthquake was the cause,” he told the BBC.

Mountaineers claim the snow-covered slope will be much easier to climb than the notorious rock-face, but have warned that it could create a bottleneck.

It is a serious worry for those already battling low oxygen and frostbite conditions at the top of the world.

Speaking to the BBC in 2012, British mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington said getting stuck near the Step could be fatal.

“If it’s a perfectly fine day, it doesn’t really matter too much if you are delayed for say, an hour and a half, two hours on the Hillary Step, which is just short of the summit.

“If the weather is breaking up, that two-and-a-half hour wait can be a matter of life and death.”

The routes up Everest from Nepal and Tibet are already very hazardous, the BBC’s Richard Galpin reports. Four climbers were killed on Sunday, he says.</s>A famous feature of Mount Everest called 'The Hillary Step' has collapsed, potentially making the climb to the world's highest peak even more dangerous and time consuming, mountaineers have confirmed.

 

 The near-vertical 12 metre rocky outcrop stood on the mountain's southeast ridge, and was the last great challenge before the top.

 

 The Hillary Step was named after Sir Edmund Hillary, who was the first to scale Mount Everest in 1953.

 

 British mountaineer Tim Mosedale confirmed the news of the Step's demise on a Facebook post after reaching the summit on May 16, dubbing the loss as "the end of an era".

 

 "It is associated with the history of Everest, and it is a great shame a piece of mountaineering folklore has disappeared," Mosedale said.

 

 "It was reported last year, and indeed I climbed it last year, but we weren't sure for certain that 'The Step' had gone because the area was blasted with snow," he wrote on Facebook.

 

 "This year, however, I can report that the chunk of rock named 'The Hillary Step' is definitely not there any more," he added.

 

 Mosedale believes the Step was most likely a victim of Nepal's 2015 earthquake, the BBC News reported.

 

 Mountaineers claim that the snow-covered slope will be much easier to climb than the notorious vertical rock-face, but loose rocks could also make it difficult and time consuming.

 

 This could create a bottleneck that causes mountaineers to wait at the bottom for hours, leading to life-threatening situations for those already battling low oxygen and frostbite conditions at the top of the world.</s>Mountaineers are increasingly reporting the Hillary Step, the famous rock barrier below the summit of Mount Everest named after New Zealand's Sir Edmund Hillary, has collapsed.

The famous rock barrier, the Hillary Step, located just below the summit of Mt Everest has collapsed.

The collapse was first reported in 2016 and it is thought to be due the earthquake that shook Nepal in 2015.

Mountaineers currently on the mountain are backing the claims.

Last Wednesday mountaineer Tim Mosedale tweeted: "It's official - The Hillary Step is no more" .

He later told planetmountain.com: "Having been up it a few times ... and getting there this year it's obvious that the feature is no longer there. Just rubble and debris where the tricky features used to be."

New Zealand-based Adventure Consultants are waiting for confirmation from their team currently on the mountain.

Today Ang Dorjee reached the summit for the 19th time and Paul Pheby from the UK reached it for the first time on one of their expeditions.

"Ang Dorjee didn't comment on the state of the Hillary Step, so he will keep us in suspense for a little longer on that one," the company said in a Facebook post.

The rock barrier was first breached on May 29, 1953 by Sir Edmund and Tenzing Norgay during the first ascent of the mountain.</s>A rocky outcrop on Mount Everest known as Hillary Step has collapsed, mountaineers said on Sunday, making the climb even tougher for those who dare to attempt reaching the summit.

The news was confirmed by British mountaineer Tim Mosedale in a post on Facebook.

"It's official - The Hillary Step is no more," he said.</s>NEpal-A famous feature of Mount Everest has collapsed, potentially making the world's highest peak even more dangerous to climbers.

Mountaineers said the Hillary Step may have fallen victim to Nepal's devastating 2015 earthquake. The near-vertical 12-metre (39 ft) rocky outcrop stood on the mountain's southeast ridge, and was the last great challenge before the top.

It was named after Sir Edmund Hillary, who was the first to scale it in 1953.

British mountaineer Tim Mosedale confirmed the news of the Step's demise after reaching the summit on 16 May.

"It's official The Hillary Step is no more," he wrote on Facebook.

"Not sure what's going to happen when the snow ridge doesn't form because there's some huge blocks randomly perched hither and thither which will be quite tricky to negotiate." Back in May 2016, pictures posted by the American Himalayan Foundation appeared to show that the Hillary Step had changed shape. But thanks to the snowfall, it was hard to tell for sure.

3rd July 1953: From left to right, Colonel John Hunt, Tenzing Norgay (better known as Sherpa Tensing), and Edmund Hillary make a jubilant return to Britain after becoming the first men to scale Mount "It was reported last year, and indeed I climbed it last year, but we weren't sure for certain that 'The Step' had gone because the area was blasted with snow," Mr Mosedale wrote on Facebook. He concluded: "This year, however, I can report that the chunk of rock named 'The Hillary Step' is definitely not there anymore." Mountaineers claim the snow-covered slope will be much easier to climb than the notorious rock-face, but have warned that it could create a bottleneck. It's a serious worry for those already battling low oxygen and frostbite conditions at the top of the world. Speaking to the BBC in 2012, British mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington said getting stuck near the Step could be fatal. "If it's a perfectly fine day, it doesn't really matter too much if you are delayed for say, an hour and a half, and two hours on the Hillary Step, which is just short of the summit.

"If the weather is breaking up, that two-and-a-half hour wait can be a matter of life and death."</s>Mountaineers have confirmed that a famous rocky outcrop near the peak of Mount Everest has collapsed, potentially making the climb more dangerous.

The Hillary Step, named after Sir Edmund Hillary who, along with the sherpa Tenzing Norgay, was the first person to climb the mountain in 1953, may have been destroyed during the 2015 Nepal earthquake.



The 12-metre-high rocky outcrop was a nearly vertical climb on the south-east ridge of the mountain. There had been rumours from climbers on earlier expeditions that the step had been destroyed, but snowy conditions made it difficult to confirm.

The British expedition leader Tim Mosedale, who reached the summit last week, posted a photograph on Facebook and confirmed the destruction of the Hillary Step.

“It’s official – the Hillary Step is no more,” wrote Mosedale.

“It was reported last year, and indeed I climbed it last year, but we weren’t sure for certain that ‘the Step’ had gone because the area was blasted with snow. This year, however, I can report that the chunk of rock named ‘the Hillary Step’ is definitely not there any more.”

Last year reports of the step’s destruction began circulating after photographs were published by the American Himalayan Foundation. Snow cover in the pictures made it difficult to say the section had definitely collapsed.

Mosedale, who reached Everest’s summit for the sixth time on 16 May, posted a photograph of what remains of the Hillary Step when he returned to base camp after the climb. The photograph shows the topography has changed significantly compared with photographs taken a few years ago.

Located at 8,790 metres, the Hillary Step is a steep and narrow section considered by climbers to be the last obstacle before the summit, which is at 8,848 metres.

Its destruction may make the ascent easier – as it will no longer involve a vertical rock climb – or more dangerous because there may be limited paths up the section, meaning climbers will have to wait for long periods in cold temperatures and at a high altitude while others attempt it.

“It’s easier going up the snow slope and indeed for inexperienced climbers and mountaineers there’s less ‘climbing’ to be done, making it much easier for them,” Mosedale told Planet Mountain.

“However, it’s going to form a bottleneck. The Hillary Step often formed a bottleneck but some years ago they fixed an up and a down rope. In the current state it would be difficult to safely negotiate down where the step used to be on account of the huge unstable rocks that are perched on the route.”</s>One of the most iconic features of Mount Everest, Hillary Step, has collapsed, according to mountaineers. Named after Sir Edmund Hillary, the first mountaineer to scale the world’s highest peak in the year 1953, the Step is reported to have disappeared following the disastrous 2015 Nepal earthquake. British Mountaineer Tim Mosedale confirmed the development after he reached the summit on May 16.

Describing the loss of Hillary Step as “the end of an era”, Mosedale told BBC news, “It is associated with the history of Everest, and it is a great shame that a piece of mountaineering folklore has disappeared.” Talking about the reasons for its disappearance, Mosedale added that it could be because of Nepal earthquake. “It could well just be gravity, but I would suspect the earthquake was the cause,” he told BBC.

The photographs of Hillary Step was posted last year by the American Himalayan Foundation, but due to the thick snow cover, it could not be confirmed. “It was reported last year, and indeed I climbed it last year, but we weren’t sure for certain that ‘The Step’ had gone because the area was blasted with snow,” Mosedale said in a Facebook post. He later said that ‘The Step’ is definitely not there this year. “This year, however, I can report that the chunk of rock named ‘The Hillary Step’ is definitely not there any more,” he wrote.

The report cites mountaineers who have claimed that the disappearance of the 12 m step which stood on mountain’s southeast ridge is likely to make the climb on snow-covered slope easier, but spells danger for those battling conditions of low oxygen and frostbite, as it could create a bottleneck near the top of the mountain. “Not sure what’s going to happen when the snow ridge doesn’t form because there’s some huge blocks randomly perched hither and thither which will be quite tricky to negotiate,” A Facebook post by Everest Expedition said.

For all the latest World News, download Indian Express App now
Mountaineers led by Tim Mosedale confirm suspicions that Mount Everest's famous Hillary Step had completely collapsed.