Jim Morrison

Before the climb, they carry the weight. After the climb, they carry the story. So many memories packed into these bags— ones I’ll carry with me forever. Across borders, into basecamp, and sometimes straight off the mountain. 40 years of the Base Camp Duffel, built to #NeverStopExploring. @thenorthface @thenorthface_snow @thenorthface_climb

We’ve partnered with Documentary+ to launch a dedicated channel of The North Face films, free to stream and built for those who chase the edges of human experience. First up: TRANGO—Journey to the Karakoram region with some of the best Ski Mountaineers in the world as they take on the first descent of the formidable Trango Towers. Streaming NOW on Documentary+ from your TV or desktop.

Everest, October 15 · The Super Direct (Hornbein to Japanese Couloir.) 9000’ Steep, Firm, unrelenting, beautiful Up there, so close to the edge of the netherworld, I looked into the abyss and kept turning — soloing that immense horizon, pulled by earth and sky in equal measure. Now we’re back on earth in physical form, but forever changed by what it took to send and return. Grateful for this journey, for all who were with me in anima and corpus. It was a dream of ours realized by the deep dedication of many. Five souls successfully climbed this line before and we add 12 more names to the history of what Messner once called “the most beautiful route on Everest” A huge debt of gratitude to the whole team Summit Teammates - Hilaree J Nelson ✨ @estebantopomena + @robrtomorales lead fixers and the ❤️ of it all! @carla.perez.ec - our Everest 👸 @pembageljesherpa @guideyukta - we did it brother! @jimmychin - 6 years amigo @pemba_sharwa 🎥 @erichroepke 1st E summit 🙌 @tenging_gyaljen @ngima_tenzing_crpa @pasangcrp123 @thenorthface @natgeo #nodownsuit @leohoorn____ w the magical video shots from the sky @therealmarkfisher 1st photo of the line

On October 15, 2025, @jimwmorrison completed the first ski descent of Mount Everest’s Hornbein Couloir—solving what elite ski mountaineers worldwide called "the last great problem." Skiing down this 9,000-foot vertical line from Everest's summit at 29,032 feet, combined with the successful summit ascent, represents the most significant achievement in ski mountaineering history. The feat required five years of logistical planning, three expedition attempts, and a lifetime of preparation. Academy Award-winning ‘Free Solo’ directors @chaivasarhelyi and @jimmychin captured Morrison’s grueling physical and emotional journey for the upcoming @natgeodocs film “Everest North” (working title).

After years of planning, mountaineer @jimwmorrison successfully skied down Mount Everest’s narrow Hornbein Couloir—notching an achievement that has captivated skiers and alpinists for decades. At 12:45 p.m. local time Morrison reached Everest’s peak via the same route after six and a half weeks on the mountain and a grueling summit push. With him were 11 other climbers, including fixers, Sherpas and a film crew led by photographer and National Geographic Explorer @jimmychin . Chin and @chaivasarhelyi who won an Oscar for the 2018 film "Free Solo,” are directing a @natgeodocs film on Morrison's achievement. After their summit photos, Morrison spread the ashes of his late partner Hilaree Nelson, who died almost exactly three years ago in a fall from near the summit of the world’s eighth highest peak, Manaslu. “I had a little conversation with her and felt like I could dedicate the whole day to her,” says Morrison. The rest of the crew began the long, slow descent along the fixed lines. Morrison, however, clicked into his skis and spent the next four hours and five minutes carefully hop turning and carving the icy 50-degree slope that descends a staggering 12,000 vertical feet back to the Rongbuk Glacier. Read more about this achievement at the link in bio. In these images: Photo 1: Morrison trains in the shadow of Everest’s north face in 2024. Photo 2: Jimmy Chin, right, summited Everest alongside Morrison, left, and then led a team of filmmakers to chronicle the descent for a forthcoming National Geographic documentary film. Photo 3: For years, Morrison planned to ski the Hornbein Couloir with his life partner, Hilaree Nelson. But Nelson tragically passed away in September 2022. Nelson was also a National Geographic Explorer and the 2018 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year. Photos 4 and 5: The vast majority of activity on Everest happens on the mountain’s southern flank. But the peak’s northern aspect, pictured here, receives less sunlight and holds snow longer, making it more desirable for skiers. Photos from left to right by @jimmychin , @sav.cummins , TNF/Zuma Press Wire, @sav.cummins

Highlight of my summer: climbing the Grand Traverse of the Tetons with my 9-year-old friend James. There were four of us named James, but the little guy dreamed it up — three long days: 14.5 hours, then 12.5 with a rain delay, then 13.5 back to the truck. Before we left I told him, “There will be moments you’re exhausted and might cry. What do we do then?” He didn’t hesitate: “Keep going.” After day one climbing dark to dark, he suggested we skip tents and bivy outside below Mt. Owen. Next morning, waiting out snow and rain, his motivation never wavered. @jimmyhartman dug deep and guided James through cruxes, @jimmychin short-roped tirelessly, and I scouted ahead hoping for shortcuts (they didn’t exist — the “45 min” to the Gunsight took five hours). Through it all, James laughed, cried, pushed on, and reminded us why we love the mountains. We three older Jimmys just tried to keep up. James also rallied the best support crew @erichroepke @conrad_anker and @leo_houlding

Hilaree… three years later. They say if we love, we grieve. Grief and love are forever bound; the deeper the love, the deeper the hurt. I’m no stranger to loss, and you helped shape my path forward — but losing you cut another sharp break in the map of my life. I’ve come to see grief as a reminder of the love we have for those taken from us. Today I celebrate you — your courage to push boundaries, to love fiercely, to go higher to inspire every space you entered. This climb through life after loss is steep, but I’m still moving — carrying you with me and reaching toward the next beautiful chapters ahead. #hilareenelson

25 years ago, @thenorthface started Summit Series to set a new standard for what was possible in the mountains. A quarter century later, we’re still pushing higher, faster, and farther. Here’s to all the athletes who carry that spirit forward and a relentless design team outfitting us with the best. #summitseries #neverstopexploring

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It’s been a while since I checked in, guess I needed to check out first🤣 March 20 was the 14th anniversary of loosing my family… What do you do? Go Farther! @nick_russelll @jerryjmark and I set off at 3:30 am for a ski tour Nick has been dreaming of called the link🔗 🆙 7 lines / 16.5 hours 13,612’ / 4148m 24 clicks These mountains give me so many memories and the folks we shred with provide many smiles. 🙏for all the snow, sunrises, sunsets, friendships and love that they provide. I told the boys at sunrise what day it was and felt the love from my community. Grief doesn’t go away but life beyond the loss can be precious. So we used this day right up, predawn to an animated @timmyoneill picking us up right on time in the dark! Let’s keep it going ❤️

A life well lived Hilaree Janet Nelson 12.13.72 - 9.26.22 What determines a well lived life? Is it experiences? Is it community filled with love and laughter? Is life about living with intention? Living your passion? Is it impact? What do you want from this one and only life? Today looking back on seven wondrous years of “Life with Hilaree” its akin to answering those questions. Hindsight has a view of Hilaree living life in mastery. Her radiance infused my days with a conscious drive towards life dreams we seemed more able to achieve together and she never ceased to amaze me. Life is impermanent. I’ve been blessed with a lot of beautiful love and loss in my lifetime. Today, like yesterday and tomorrow I’m thankful for my time living with these cherished souls. The gifts they have bestowed upon me are highlights of my life. I cherish every moment I had with Hilaree. The moments in her favorite backyard haunts. The audacious expeditions far and away. The urban explorations to edify our mountain selves. We only get one shot at it. Are you going to sit back and take what you’re dealt or go out and manifest your dreams? For me life is about LOVE. We love you Hilaree. Thank you for all the life you’ve given to us!

A little emotional summit video from when I first got up there. Felt really special standing on top of this mountain with a view of the Karakoram I’d read about my whole life. The 3rd photo by John Middendorf @johnmiddendorf4 (found online) was the image that shaped this place for me since my late high school years. We skied the right skyline of this photo and off the other side… I wasn’t sure I could climb this pointy hill and skiing off it is a beautiful highlight of chasing dreams in wild places. Thanks to all the climbers who ventured to these places throughout my life and shared their adventures. John Rosskelly, Galen Rowell, Greg Child, Alex Lowe, John Middendorf to name a few…your stories helped build my view of the world. Clearly we took the easy way up in comparison but I’d bet we had more fun on the way down:) Inspired by many I felt obliged to remember @protectourwinters on top of this dreamy peak. @thenorthface @christinalusti @chantel.astorga