US extreme skier Hilaree Nelson, who died after falling from the world’s eighth-highest mountain, has been given a traditional Nepalese funeral.
The 49-year-old fell to her death from the 26,775ft summit of Mount Manaslu last week while skiing down with her partner, Jim Morrison.
Family, friends and government officials gathered at a funeral ground in Kathmandu as Buddhist monks officiated the traditional funeral.
Her body was taken to the Sherpa cremation grounds on the back of an open truck, which was decorated with a poster of her and alongside garlands of flowers.
Mr Morrison was seen performing rituals during the funeral as Buddhist monks lit the pyre and musical instruments and chanted prayers.
The extreme skier, who summited Mount Lhotse, the world’s fourth-highest peak, in 2018 with Mr Morrison, disappeared on 26 September.
Rescuers searched by helicopter and located her body two days later, which was then flown to Kathmandu.
Ms Nelson’s sponsor, The North Face described her as a “hero, mentor and friend”, adding that she “embodied possibility”, in an online tribute.
Ms Nelson’s partner Jim Morrison lights a candle. Pic: AP
Nepal’s government has issued permits to 504 climbers during this year’s autumn climbing season – most are climbing Mount Manaslu.
However, climbers have been struggling with bad weather conditions and repeated avalanches on the mountain.
Mr Morrison (L) performs rituals during the funeral. Pic: AP
The same day Ms Nelson fell, an avalanche at a lower elevation on the same mountain killed a Nepalese man and injured several other climbers.
Hundreds of climbers and their local guides have attempted to reach the mountain’s summit during Nepal’s autumn climbing season.
