Karnicar First To Ski Nonstop Down Everest

Katmandu, Nepal, Oct. 10, 2000–With a six pound camera on his head, Slovenian ski instructor Davo Karnicar, 38, became the first person to ski nonstop down the steep slopes of Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain.

The 29,035-foot mountain took Karnicar and his crew four days to summit, which is about the norm, and an astounding five hours to descend. He skied 11,535-feet from the summit to base camp without removing his skis and with only minimal breaks.

The idea of skiing the tallest mountain on the planet had been encompassing his life for many years, and in 1996 he made his first attempt. Tragically, a snowstorm halted his efforts. With previous knowledge gained and a talented 10-man expedition team, he returned to Everest four years later for the run of his life.

This time Karnicar wasn’t troubled by the weather, but by the challenging terrain he would have to cover with his skis. The Hillary Step, a steep crest with huge amounts of snow that threatened to avalanche was the obstacle pre-occupying his mind. But everything fell into place on October 7, when Karnicar safely skied to base camp frostbite-free.

For the time being Karnicar is focusing on regaining his strength and trying to comprehend the spectacle that just unfolded.

“Slowly, slowly I’m also becoming aware of the whole thing. It is something that was in my head for a long, long time. I had it over in my thoughts so many times. Now it came true, it came true what I came here for,” said Karnicar

For more information on Karnicar’s journey, visit his web-site at www.everest.simobil.si