Hilaree Nelson Dies Skiing from the Summit; Anup Rai Killed in Avalanche
| Event date | 26 September 2022 |
|---|---|
| Location | Summit slopes (Nelson); between Camps 3 and 4 (Rai) |
| Type | Climbing accident; avalanche; rescue and evacuation |
| Deaths | 2 |
| Injured | About a dozen in the Camp 3–4 avalanche |
| Verification | Verified |
| Status | Historical / closed |
Two separate accidents on the same day made 26 September 2022 one of the darkest in Manaslu’s recent history. American ski mountaineer Hilaree Nelson (49), one of the best-known women in the sport, was skiing down from the summit with her partner Jim Morrison when she triggered a small slide and fell down the south face. Searchers found her body two days later above the Thulagi glacier, and she was cremated in Kathmandu on 2 October.
Earlier that day an avalanche struck between Camps 3 and 4, killing Anup Rai (34), a high-altitude support climber from Sankhuwasabha, and injuring about a dozen others who were then evacuated. Rai left a wife and two children.
Sources
- Alan Arnette — "Autumn 2022 Himalayan Season: Manaslu Avalanche – Bodies Found"
- The Kathmandu Post — Hilaree Nelson missing after falling into a crevasse
- Planetmountain — "Hilaree Nelson and Anup Rai perish on Manaslu"
Last reviewed 29 September 2026. Written in Merolog’s own words from the sources listed; where sources disagree, each figure is attributed rather than merged. Spotted an error or a newer figure? Leave a comment on this entry.