How Rob Hall died on Everest in 1996?

Rob Hall was a mountaineering guide from New Zealand. He had summited Mount Everest five times. He started commercial expeditions on Everest in the 1990s. Hall was one of the most talented expedition organisers. In May 1996, he died in a blizzard high on Everest in the death zone after stranded for more than twenty hours.
This is his story !
Reference Sources
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Hall
publications.americanalpineclu...
www.britannica.com/biography/...
www.adventureconsultants.com/...
www.independent.co.uk/news/ob...
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#RobHall #The1996EverestDisaster #Everest
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[@jawehers]

What a brave man , Rob Hall I will never forget this name!

[@Bobo-hd6qn]

You think it's brave to break your own rules? Causing the deaths of many

[@wyomingadventures]

This is by far the most accurate account of the 1996 Everest disaster I've heard on KZbin. I've read everyone's books whom wrote about it and was there. Sad day on Everest. The conversation Rob and Jan had must have been heartbreaking for everyone on the mountain to hear. Very well done Epic Adventure Archives!

[@AB11305]

Heartbreaking? Imagine if you were lied to all along about what matters the most. What about the others hearts? The one's that weren't allowed to know of their impending doom?You're a trashbag propaganda dumpster, spewing out artificial caring

[@judyo923]

@Anthony Gaul Much of it was from the doc that the IMAX crew from Nat Geo filmed as well. There's also stuff from other sources. EAA definitely did not ONLY use Krakauer (the narcissist sensationalist).

[@wyomingadventures]

@agmistro reread my comment. And JudyO is right. Yes, I read a lot of books about it. But there's good information from all of it. If you read and listen to it all, you can figure it out. I don't know how old you are, but I have been around for a while. This was a very well-known thing in the climbing world.

[@brian140713]

Ok

[@KatWoodland]

These climbers had their own reasons for living and dying. Noble deaths they achieved

[@williamvaughn4148]

A respectful account of a very human tragedy - well done.

[@ValerieGriner]

When it was obvious that Hanson was NOT going to make it, Hall should have thought of his pregnant wife and come back down. Very sad story.

[@the_phaistos_disk_solution]

And you slip the music in there to grab firmly on the vulnerable viewer. Rob Hall was one of the the truly great people of the profession. We should all have a friend like him, but who talks us into the safest way. A complete mountaineer. RIP.

[@iainbanks7415]

This is a sad but extremely interesting and very well researched doco...Well done.

[@Sutterjack]

Great detail in the documentary - I'm really starting to question the commercial climbing of Everest at all. The pressure on the guides to make it to the summit so their clients can have bragging rights at a cocktail party are ridiculous. I don't think it's really drilled into climbing clients there's a good chance you will NOT summit Everest in your attempt for many reasons out of your control, and how quickly life can be snuffed out in high altitude. Sorry you lost $80,000 but your life is worth more than that -period.

[@timthompson8297]

Nobody makes anybody do anything. As far as I’m concerned, everybody gets what they deserve. They’re fking irrational fools.

[@joycemyrick7053]

Absolutely

[@brentj.peterson6070]

Even the very best mountaineer is at the mercy of the weakest client..whom they are paid to care for on the trip. The window in the "death zone" is very short. Storms and delay got them in deadly trouble and they paid dearly.

[@paulgrey8028]

The most baffling mistake made by Rob Hall and Scott Fischer, that had been kept secret until it was revealed by fellow climber Graham Ratcliffe after years of dogged investigation, was that both leaders took their relatively inexperienced climbers to the summit knowing that a storm was forecast to hit Everest on the afternoon of the 10th of May. Jon Krakauer referred to it as a "rogue storm" in his reports, that he knew was total bullshit. Both commercial teams had access to highly accurate weather reports from two meteorological services, one through the IMAX team and the other via a Danish team. [The IMAX team abandoned their summit attempt on the 9th of May because of the unsettled weather] Although Ratcliffe was on the South Col on the night of the disaster, he was not even mentioned in Krakauer's book Into Thin Air. No one informed Ratcliffe of the unfolding drama until he had reached a lower camp after abandoning his summit attempt. During his years of research, none of the survivors from either Fischers or Halls team helped Ratcliffe get to the truth regarding the weather reports. The IMAX team also refused to help. Ed Viesturs ignored Ratcliffes emails altogether. It's hard enough to understand how experienced leaders like Hall and Fischer could not have ensured that lines were fixed in advanced to avoid the many bottlenecks on summit day and how they ignored their turn around time of 2pm, it's especially baffling since they knew that a storm was bearing down on them and their clients.

[@ObamAmerican48]

I appreciate this additional info. The absence of fixed lines up top is sketchy at best.

[@porcupinecraig]

They didn't respect the mountain and made a lot of mistakes and it cost them everything. They were too focussed on their businesses being a success. Hard to make money when you are dead. Hall's big mistake was promising Doug that he would make it to the summit. You cannot promise such a thing. So when the chips were down, he didn't have the courage to tell Doug no and then couldn't leave him. Once again, lost respect for the mountain and thought he could beat it.

[@paulgrey8028]

@@porcupinecraig yes exactly. Hall and Fischer should have known better than anyone that any summit is never guaranteed. Hall rang Hanson several times after the 1995 expedition and heavily discounted his fee before Doug agreed to return. Dougs throat was compromised by a surgery he had just several weeks before he left for the 96 climb. His throat was further damaged during an acclimatisation climb to Camp 3 and had to turn around and did not join the group when they had to go back to Camp 3 a day or two later. He felt so crook that he wanted to pull the pin and only changed his mind upon Halls urging. Then on the summit day, Doug stepped out of the line in the early morning and said he was going down due to the cold and said he was feeling bad. No one heard the conversation between Hall and Hanson that changed his mind but obviously he continued to climb due to whatever Hall said to him. Arriving at the summit at 4pm is just mind boggling.

[@dararupert7199]

I always thought the storm was forecast for the 11th but even in that case the risk was very high. It could (and did) come in early I just think they let the pressure of success cloud their judgement sadly.

[@57Jimmy]

Pilots suffer the same flaw. It’s called ‘Get-there-itis’. Where reality always wins over invincibility, usually with the same fatal outcomes.😢

[@brokassqcislander]

Very well done account of what is believed to have happened based on eye witnesses and official accounts. Thank you. I have always been a big fan of Everest books and video, you did a great job I think. RIP to the 8 people that did not come back that year, it’s a dangerous endeavour. Some DONT understand why the decisions were made and this helps people understand the pressures that led to blowing out turn around times etc.

[@DianeHasHopeInChrist]

Thank you, so much, for the best explanation about Rob Hall's life and death. You are awesome!!❤😊

[@WienGolf]

Like every video of this channel this was very amazing to watch, too! I really enjoy how tasteful you speak about people and how well all the stories and pictures are researched. So interesting! Rob Hall really was a great personality, it is a pity that he did not mind his own rules to return from summitting. I know the goal of many tours to mountains is a summit, but I think the most beautiful thing is to be in great nature, to see the wonders of nature and to be a part of it. No summit has a bigger value than your life. Don’t throw it away!

[@epicadventurearchives]

Thanks for your kind feedback. Stay blessed.

[@lisadolan689]

I agree with every word you’ve said 🙂 well done yet again team

[@enkhamgalan33]

I have watched the great video with stunning photos and explanation is brilliant.

[@chrislewis6488]

A sad topic but you made a great video and did it justice sir 👏

[@AnjaSauer]

Very well told and researched. Thank you.

[@pamelabewley1685]

This is really a great video and so accurate! I really appreciate your time and effort making this, was really good!

[@epicadventurearchives]

Glad you liked it!

[@jardani-jovonovich]

Thank you for the story, may be it is also important to watch "EVEREST" movie. To understand better about this incident.

[@martinwarner1178]

Very nicely done video, thank you. Peace be unto you.

[@trueaspect5888]

Im sure Rob felt a lot of guilt for asking Doug to give it another go to reach the summit so when Doug got stuck at the summit he couldn't leave him up there as he felt responsible for Doug being up there in the first place.

[@paulgrey8028]

Abandoning a fellow climber would be extremely hard. Guy Cotter, a good friend of Rob Halls and a fellow Kiwi, urged him to leave Doug as it was Halls only chance of survival but he just couldn't do it.

[@hexadecimal7300]

Nicely done. Thankyou

[@fredericklee4821]

WINGSUIT FROM EVEREST Most of the deaths that happen on the 8K+ height mountains happen on the way down. In context consider a wingsuit/ram-air parachute descent. One brave soul has already accomplished this - but that was from 24,000 feet - not quite the top. The density of the air on 8K+ peaks does not provide sufficient lift for a wingsuit. Instead the winds will slam you into the mountain's rocky face - killing you. HIMARS is an artillery rocket designed to locate its target through geopositioning. A mini-version strapped to the back could fire a summiter who is wearing a wingsuit, off the peak of Everest towards the very center of the valley below dropping the summiter now descending thousands of feet downwards in seconds over terrain that had taken hours and days to climb. After the ignition shuts down at a much lower altitude where the air is thicker, the mini-HIMARS is dropped and the wingsuited descender speads the wings of the wingsuit and glides to still lower altitudes. The glide continues over the Khumbu icefall, and further into the valley. Miles and miles of the mountain's base passes below. The target, a hotel at the base of Everest wherethe grass is green, awaits. It is summer and the air is warmer at this altitude. The descender opens the chute and targets in to the great green lawn. The hotel guests are gathered for cocktails in evening dress at sunset. End of the Quest: Landing, less than an hour after summiting Everest, the summiter zips out of his wingsuit. He is has been wearing a tuxedo underneath. Taking a seat at the central table, the sommelier brings a chilled bottle of Dom Pérignon (sponsors choice) and a glass saluting the applauding awe-struck guests who begin to surround the summiter. Noting the champagne is not quite cold enough to meet expectations, brought from the wingsuit is a container of ice harvested from the Everest summit to fill the ice bucket. The summiter toasts the mighty Everest that dominates the surrounding Himalayas as the sun sets.

[@judyp2585]

Thank you for this informative and excellent video! Thank you also for being so very respectful. I liked the video, commented and subscribed to your channel. :)

[@epicadventurearchives]

You are so welcome!

[@mooner2410]

Of all the accounts ive read & watched,i found your account & presentation,the most accurate and fascinating..Thank you for a fine tribute to Rob..

[@adrianacazorlapaucar5538]

Amo tu canal, gracias!

[@shelbyindianajones3226]

Very good video thank you so much

[@timgoodsell4053]

Excellent video.

[@kylebarcomb6192]

Nice vid man

[@lisadolan689]

Narrator, excellent work again. 🙌🙂 I’m curious, how many languages can you speak? I’m guessing at least two but probably 3 or 4. You are a great narrator. Thank you for your efforts 🙏

[@epicadventurearchives]

Thanks for your feedback. Stay blessed.

[@sheilabloom6735]

Rob broke his own rule about turning around at 2 pm.

[@norbertschmitz3358]

@Sheila Bloom I agree! That is the essence of all that bullshit. I have never been a mountaineer, but a scuba wreck and cave diver, that took a lot of calculated risk. You plan your climb/dive....and you stick to your plan. No matter what! However, lack of Oxygen causes confusion and impairment up high, excessive Nitrogen does the same deep down. Now what is the best way of dying? Down the ocean, nitrogen narcosis is the way to go. You will be smiling, ecstatic and happy, taking of your regulator and mask....and making love to all the fish around you....what a way to go! Cheers

[@DianeHasHopeInChrist]

Rob died helping Doug Hansen, who had relapsed with terminal Cancer, and told no one. Hansen wanted to die on Everest. Sadly, he took Rob with him. Hansen was selfish. Doug Hansen had tried to summit Everest, once before and failed, which is why Rob worked so hard to get Doug onto the summit. But Rob didn't know about Doug's Cancer. That is what makes me so 😡!!

[@wyomingadventures]

@DianeHasHopeInChrist I've never heard anyone say he had terminal cancer. I highly doubt he could climb at all if he had terminal cancer. That's not believable. Anyone with terminal cancer isn't capable of being near Everest. That's common sense.

[@lucky77me]

What news! I've never seen information like that before. How do you know that?

[@wyomingadventures]

@lucky77me it's well known that Rob told all his guides and clients 2pm is turn around time no matter where you were on Everest. He said it for years because he wanted them to get back in time before it got dark on the mountain. It's a safety thing on Everest. Plus, they only had some many hours of oxygen before they ran out. Most outfitters had or have the same rule on Everest on summit day.

[@OtomoTenzi]

Rob died doing something that he LOVED... Need I say MORE??? 💀

[@erin.v.m657]

Freezing to death alone ? Yeah. I doubt he loved that.

[@amandaclarke763]

Why did Scott Fisher summit? He had no clients with him, they passed him on the way down, why didn’t he join them?? It’s the part I don’t understand

[@epicadventurearchives]

There was no reason for Scott Fischer to go up to the summit, but it would have been unthinkable for him to let the clients go up without him.

[@amandaclarke763]

@@epicadventurearchives but the clients passed him on their way down. Why wouldn’t he join them and not summit and go down with his clients?

[@dararupert7199]

Nobody knows for sure but from what I've read some believe he was struggling with altitude sickness and just wasn't thinking clearly combined with the pressure/competition between the companies on the mountain that day.

[@lyricsdomatter]

@@dararupert7199 he had been unwell with gastrointestinal issues, and had taken a sick climber down the mountain and went straight back up, which tired him out immensely when he should have been resting. From reports on the day it seems possibly he was developing HACE so would not have been thinking clearly - sea level Fischer would have known summiting at 4pm when you're unwell is complete madness

[@hoosieraussis1]

Did anyone attempt to assist Rob down the mountain after the storm passed? How long did the storm go on?

[@gregthomas2448]

Rob is dead because he broke his own rules. Not trying to argue or start a fight. Rob Hall is dead because of Rob Hall’s own decisions. His judgment. No one else.

[@UAPReportingCenter]

He died because he made a mistake trying to be a good human being. You ever been in the mountains? Doubtful

[@John-mi2rt]

@@UAPReportingCenter Rubbish. He broke his own rules. His job wasn't to be a good human being. His job was to get his clients down alive. He forced Hansen down the previous year and should have done so again as Ang Dorje wanted. His dumb decision got Hansen, Harris and himself killed.

[@rebar59duffy84]

RIP Rob.

[@kimrollins7550]

Well done

[@nuancolar7304]

The idea of "protecting" another climber in the death zone is merely an illusion. You can give aid and oxygen, but the only protection for any climber is to descend.

[@fayecox9401]

To be honest we can all guess what happened ,but we were never there so we will never know true facts

[@finnsaarinen3471]

well done.........namaste......the Finnster

[@borntoclimb7116]

Really sad

[@ArizonaRed]

It seemed to be one mistake was followed by multiple worsening conditions like tumbling dominoes.

[@higher_pwr8178]

Hansen wasn't cut out to summit Everest.

[@carioca56]

I liked it a lot!!!!

[@bongofury333]

Never promise the summit

[@alankerr2479]

Very sad rip

[@a.m4863]

It still makes me mad her chose everest and his friend over his unborn child.

[@joparedes96]

Of course he would. He hadn’t even met the bloke

[@a.m4863]

@@joparedes96 😆

[@RONJAE212003]

Sounds like Rob thought they wouldn’t leave him up there. You thought wrong buddy

[@dianewalker4633]

How very sad. Is Rob's body still lying on Everest, or did mountaineers' manage to bring him down?

[@epicadventurearchives]

It’s still lying on Everest.

[@dianewalker4633]

@@epicadventurearchives How sad. Thank you for responding

[@iluvmoney6767]

Rob eventually walked down by himself.

[@dianewalker4633]

@@iluvmoney6767 Not funny

[@iluvmoney6767]

@@dianewalker4633 Please consider donating to the GO Fund ME page: " Help Rob find his way down the mountain."

[@patburton837]

Was he featured in the movie Everest.

[@patburton837]

Yes

[@allanfrederick8705]

"Rob Hall was died" no... "Rob Hall died"

[@purplecatcandles5872]

Grammar Police. It's pretty obvious the narrator's native language is not English. Just saying.

[@allanfrederick8705]

@@purplecatcandles5872 That is why I corrected him, he "loved" the response, sometimes people appreciate accuracy.... Just saying.

[@iluvmoney6767]

@@allanfrederick8705 He did died on dat mountain!

[@allanfrederick8705]

@@iluvmoney6767 He did died? Is that english :)?

[@iluvmoney6767]

@@allanfrederick8705 HE did died dat day!

[@vangroover1903]

gUIDES ON eVEREST ARE LIKE TEACHERS AT SCHOOL SHOOTINGS.They both need to know when to cut rope to ensure their own survival, in the same way that people that live to old age in polar bear country always travel with a slower companion. It's just common sense.

[@deerheart87]

If there was no storm they may have been ok but Doug was in terrible shape

[@dannettepeters1507]

To the average person, who does not have mountain madness, these adventures seem an unnecessary and tragic waste of human life.

[@melmack2003]

Was Rob Hall's body removed from the mountain? So tragic.....

[@arkpan4x4]

No .He is still there

[@melmack2003]

@@arkpan4x4 Thank you for your reply....may he rest in eternal peace.

[@ArizonaRed]

I wish he would have been sent back home.

[@melmack2003]

@@ArizonaRed I think it was too hazardous to try to transport his body off the mountain. So sad....

[@dararupert7199]

His wife Jan asked they leave him there as that is what he would want/she didn't want others risking their lives.

[@ogmac1804]

Most of the extreme archievment are done by people who are suffering on some type of megalomania or delusions of grandeur. Some reach a point where they stop before a tragedy some are not.

[@Bobo-hd6qn]

Rob Hall killed himself and Doug. His actions also caused the death of others and cause Beck to lose parts of his body. Rob Hall broke his own rules. If he has followed the rules that he set, they would all be alive

[@Za7a7aZ]

The highest mountain measured from the centre of the earth lies in Ecuador S-America. Now..that's weird isn't it

[@deborahparise5566]

I read somewhere that the highest mountain is underwater and makes mt everest look like a pimple

[@mimivivi3003]

Роб холл настоящий мужик не бросил клиента до конца

[@DebraMaxwell-iw2ir]

Exactly 💯 Right Ok selfless Choice Ok

[@yorkiesweetpea23]

Have you considered using a voice over, computerized or using a different narrator? It's just that your content is so good! Great videos! But the voice is difficult to hear/understand, so viewers must rely on the subtitles. Which makes it even more difficult to concentrate reading the subs while the voice is also talking over it. Your videos would be even better with a different narrator. 👍 Just a little input, feedback 😊.

[@epicadventurearchives]

Maybe one day!

[@timthompson8297]

Exactly. No damn excuse.

[@craigbritz1684]

I can barely understand the narrators english. So just as well there were subtitles

[@joparedes96]

You should practice your english then

[@flyingsnow311]

Surprised that on those camps up betwenn 5500 and 7500me is no "Shop" selling Oxigen. (Satire) Does anyone know, those Oxigen bottles can freeze or not, so that the function is no more guaranteed?

[@subhashsharma6937]

God bless my dear😅

[@mreality7017]

Sorry but Rob chose Doug over his family

[@lizzystar5346]

That’s kinda harsh, he didn’t want to leave a man behind. He felt somewhat responsible for Doug’s life. That’s admirable and he shouldn’t be shamed for it. While he did die he never let go of his morals like some people tend to do on that mountain

[@shawntailor5485]

He made the only choice s good man in his position would make . EVERY climber knows eternity on EVEREST is a possibility, EVERY climbers wife knows the risks and consequences. Man was not meant to survive EVEREST.

[@mreality7017]

@@shawntailor5485 the only right choice is to go back to a pregnant wife and not make her a widow and a childless father for a man who refused to follow the mountain rule

[@johnjagodzinski4242]

He shouldn't have been up there but he had a backbone

[@Galaxie08]

​@@mreality7017 Impressive how you know everything better, speak negatively about a man you didn't know & from a perspective of someone who has no idea what it's like up there & in such a dire situation. Typical social media.

[@mariaangelacortezzegorgulh9211]

Why did nobody went to rescue them?

[@birgitmelchior8248]

Because they were watching tv and were too busy eating chips. Why do you think?

[@sherrygraham8650]

There are a number of reasons why. Having just finished one of the books, I feel it was a lot of things just went wrong. Visibility in the storm was almost nonexistent. Many of those who could have done something where exhausted from reaching the summit earlier in the day. Those up on the mountain were suffering from the affect of high altitude.

[@sherrygraham8650]

@@birgitmelchior8248if you don’t know the answer to something, just be quiet.

[@birgitmelchior8248]

@@sherrygraham8650🙄 i know the answer honey. Any rescue above 8000 metres is virtually impossible. It s not called the death zone for nothing. ANY documentary about everest or himalaya peaks will tell you that. That is basic knowledge. An incapacitated person can not be helped. If you want rescue, you need to be able to walk YOURSELF down the mountain. Nobody can carry you. Not when there is 3 times less oxygen in the air than on sea level.

[@JohnSmith-ux3tt]

I think some Sherpas did try, but they couldn't get far in the face of the storm, and they had just returned from climbing Everest themselves.

[@chodkowski01]

Rob Halls action to disregard his safety rule killed his client Doug Hansen.

[@DianeHasHopeInChrist]

Wrong....Doug Hansen had tried Everest before and failed. Doug also had relapsed into his terminal Cancer and told no one. Doug Hansen's plan was to die on Everest. Sadly, he took Rob's life with him. Doug Hansen's suicidal plan was unknown to all of his team members. His pleading to Rob to make it to the summit touched Rob's heart, but Rob lost his life trying to help a man that had a plan to never leave Everest. Yes....Rob should have left, but he was an honorable man and didn't want anyone left behind. Try to understand that.

[@oldbat2ccats]

@@DianeHasHopeInChrist I had no idea that Hansen was terminally ill, I wonder if Rob Hall knew this and was trying to help him achieve his wishes. At any rate, Rob Hall was an honorable man and I’m glad you set the record straight.

[@matthewwright3930]

Doug Hanson…. That is all

[@thebravegurkhas7832]

is this youtuber indian?

[@leanderrowe2800]

Sounds like that.

[@iluvmoney6767]

No. CHinese.

[@thegorn]

Never go climbing with a mail man, or anyone named Dougie.

[@tylercrocker7731]

these videos are great!

[@jodyperalta8924]

Brave or stupid it's a

[@johnjagodzinski4242]

He was trying to save some rich chic

[@leventa9111]

Becouse of doug, he died.should have obeyed his own rules.

[@aprilogembo1141]

It must be real sad to meet Jesus after you have died because you wanted to conquer a ROCK 🪨 I’m sure Jesus won’t take that lightly especially since he already died and rose the 3 rd day just so you could LIVE and have a way into heaven if you make it in but many won’t because they do STUPID Stuff like this oh well it’s your life and your death

[@deanna.radiant]

"I'm SuRe JeSuS wOn'T tAkE tHaT LiGhTly" Bro every soul is Precious to Christ and God! Drop your "Holier than though" judgmental, Spiritual ego! God and Christ will take care of it! Who the heck are you to judge another's journey to call it stupid? Maybe these people had to face this for a reason only them and God knows! Life is eternal, this is not the end! Where's your compassion? Or are you just another modern day Pharisee, pointing fingers and judging people? Good luck with such spiritual ego! I wish you compassion and consciousness!

[@joparedes96]

What’s really sad is not seeing or feeling anything after death, because so far there’s no such thing as an afterlife