What a tragedy indeed. The Storm Traps Climbers During 1996 Everest Disaster. journalistic guidelines . Where Doug Hansen and Andy Harris are is a mystery. Everest. @Jonathan Doel - murder? Guy Cotter: Rob had a very dry, laconic sense of humor. Nope, not me, not one moan. I have watched the movie Everest on cable almost every time it has aired. We had a Post Office Football team. In the end, I think this is one of those things where many factors were at play. I meant no disrespect with the poll. By the way, I live in Kent too, and I planted white flowers next to Doug’s memorial on photo. Thanks for reading! He was an amazing and charismatic man; light-hearted, humble, yet driven. It’s all on him. He sounds like a remarkable man. Because, to be able to climb that high and see that kind of beauty that nobody ever sees, itâll be a crime not to. And that's kind of the thing that I know that I've lost, and that's part of the true grief that has taken part, is that those people are so rare. Larry Rankin from Oklahoma on November 04, 2015: I was familiar with this ill fated expedition. He must have been amazing, to work two jobs and stll have energy to climb mountains. The only difference is, this hub ended quite sadly. I have become fascinated with wanting to know about the people who have summited Everest. Saved by Microsoft Bing. It was just unfortunate tragedy of errors due to lack of oxygen. Yes, Rob could’ve said no, I wish he had. But because of high climber traffic at the base of the Hillary step, where a delay occurred because fixed ropes had to be installed after Sherpas assisting the expedition failed to put them up, by 2 PM very few climbers had reached the top. I'm glad you liked the story and thank you for the visit. The postal worker at last accepted, hoping that he could finally get the Everest monkey off his back. Hall's guide Andy Harris and two of their clients, Doug Hansen and Yasuko Namba, also perished. She was very much contained within herself, but once you got her going, she was just absolutely focused on continuing to move, and to achieve what she came to achieve -- probably more maybe than anybody else on our team, in terms of just sheer focus and drive, and dedication on a goal, as opposed to just being there. And he almost looked like Popeye, when he'd go and say, "You're not going to be one of them moaners, are ya?" By the way, I live in Kent too, and I planted white flowers next to Doug’s memorial on photo. I am glad you could learn something new. An amazing man. I was impressed by Angie's comment (Doug's daughter) and thought her request to remove it was very eloquent. So, we ended up watching some scattershot humour and spooks - Goosebumps! It is well known that Rob had his pride/ego on the line because it was Doug's 2nd year. Is there really any logic involved at all when deciding to climb this deadly mountain? Thank you Jodah. Hollywood did indeed take some liberties, but if they were following Krakauer's book I thought they were more unfair to your father than Krakauer was. She just didn't have the body power. 1,106 records for Doug Hansen. In 1995, Hansen went on an expedition with Rob Hall, but had to turn back early, in 1996, heâs determined not to let the same thing happen. Hard to write about such stuff unless you have a time that you should have died. But in reality he wasn't! Thanks for reading. ;). John Hansen from Queensland Australia on November 01, 2015: A wonderful but tragic story, Mel. You won't find any Postal spree killers here, if that is what you are looking for. Mel Carriere (author) from Snowbound and down in Northern Colorado on November 06, 2015: I can always count on a nice word from you, Davika. Everest, but at the cost of his life. Lawrence Hebb from Hamilton, New Zealand on November 24, 2015: I enjoyed this as it's not just a tribute to Doug but to all those who aim for the impossible. I left the Post Office about 6 months before Doug passed. A real mailman would always push himself to impossible limits of endurance to make it there on time, then help the stragglers up to the top. join the discussion . Peace out! He just was in his element in terms of, this was more his life as he'd see it, as the best parts of his being out there. Thanks for reading. He was always sort of looking around, making sure you had a place to sit or whatever. Doug was my favorite in the movie. Mel Carriere (author) from Snowbound and down in Northern Colorado on November 02, 2015: FatBoyThin, the bad part about Everest is that the weather turns at the drop of a hat. As expected, Hollywood takes some liberties, but it is a good entry level lesson for those wishing to learn more about this ill-fated ascent. He was a guide who had a great love of life. Thanks for reading. Thanks otherwise for the research. I love this well-written hub and especially the mystery or what happened to Doug. He wasn't the sort of character who would stand up and just order everybody around; he always gave a lot back. But tragic ending after the successful climb is much depressing. on May 16, 2016: I must have been a mountain climber in another life or time. On Everestâs north side, three Indian climbers also died. Although many are mystified by his mysterious moniker, Mel Carriere is a San Diego mailman who writes about the mail, among other things. At any rate, if you are a postal worker who knew or worked with Doug, please supplement this article by providing additional information in the comments below. I think it is thin ice to try to cast blame for anything that happens above 8,000m. Per Krakauer, shortly before the final push Doug told Rob Hall, "I'm fucked!...I can't even talk. I count myself very fortunate. Doug Hansen was the last one to summit on the day... Mr Hall`s decision to remain with ailing American climber Doug Hansen instead of& . Dana Tate from LOS ANGELES on November 02, 2015: very interesting story with a tragic ending. I enjoyed your insights into Doug Hansen's life and the ill fated climb. It is hard to place the blame on anyone in particular. A movie review is beyond the scope of this article, but having read Jon Krakauer's book after the film, I believe "Everest" is an accurate depiction of what went on at and beneath the summit of Mt. Beyond the Limit”, 2007. No big egos, no problem in that regard. We used to like to talk about different things that we would do to stay fit. People enjoy taking polls and surveys. Doug at the base of the Hillary Step on Mt. Rainier. Safe is boring. I remembered how sad I was when had learned about the accident. I miss him every day. He came back; he looked like he was in good shape, and he clearly was determined. Thanks for reading. Sometime before 6 PM Rob Hall finally descended alone to a place known as the South Summit, but at this point neither Doug Hansen or Andy Harris, a guide who had risked his life to go to their rescue, were with him anymore. Doug Hansen's first attempt on Mt. I have also walked over a 1,000 miles across the Himalaya in Nepal and I continue to work in Nepal. However, I still look forward to watching the movie and see Doug Hansen's character specially after your interesting introduction of him. "Mount Everest as seen from Drukair2 PLW edit" by Mount_Everest_as_seen_from_Drukair2.jpg: shrimpo1967derivative work: Papa Lima Whiskey 2 (talk) - Th. Mel Carriere (author) from Snowbound and down in Northern Colorado on April 07, 2020: Thank you Johnathan. [Laughter] But nevertheless, it was just something we talked about. Mel Carriere (author) from Snowbound and down in Northern Colorado on May 16, 2016: Thank you Audrey. I had an uncle named Doug Hansen, who worked as a technician and linesman for our phone company (then called the PMG "Post Master General's Department"..now Telstra) The phone and mail companies were run by the same government department. Doug Hansen : I'm climbing Mount Everest... because I can... because to be able to climb that high and see that kind of ⦠He clearly loved being there, I mean, not just a little bit. I guess you can't appreciate life any better than when staring down a sheer precipice at the top of a mountain. I find it disgraceful and disrespectful. He's easygoing; there's not a lot of pretense about Doug. I picked Doug Hansen for this maiden voyage of Legendary Letter Carriers after seeing him depicted in the recent movie Everest, the story of the 1996 disaster on Mt. It’s all on him. . Andy was the sort of guy who would make everybody around him feel that they were in good hands. I hope you like the movie. Mr Hall stayed with the slowest climber, American client Doug Hansen. People gravitated toward him... this lovely combination of life-loving and hard-working. Thanks for reading. Now the question is whether or not it's true that Rob Moore actually pressed Doug Hansen to continue climbing the mountain and went so far as to "haul" Doug Hansen to the top. live chat with producer david breashears . Great piece of writing Mel. He also was really strong; he was a guy who was willing. If you can picture or imagine anything that you might ascribe to a high-altitude mountaineer or big climber, Scott was that. He was a true legend and the hero that saved many lives on the ill fated day. That seems to be the consensus, that he was liked by everyone. Question: would you consider fictional (Henry Chinaski) mail carriers for your series? If it wasn’t for Doug’s stupidity, 4 people would have been alive now. The survey is titled 'Finger Pointing Time' - placed after an article with many leading statements about things that are pure conjecture. He was an inspirational figure for all who knew him. Rob Hall then extended the deadline, possibly out of a sense of competition with American guide Scott Fischer's team, who had successfully summited all of his clients. I won't place blame, everyone was equal. Ive stumbled accross this article again and am sad to see the poll still up. Great read, Mel. He had good hands. U.S.A. on November 01, 2015: Death is a part of such adventures. He would have an absolutely plastic face, and he could tell jokes. The story is very interesting and sad at the same time. I remember vividly the 1996 Everest tragedy. You're right, I'll just stay home and watch it on TV. After a brief celebratory stay at the top he headed back down with Rob. My dad was a good man. :) Unfortunately, we didn't catch it. dvd & transcript . But if you're very fortunate in your life, then you meet some of these people. Rob Hall was a good man. But you know, Doug was a guy, especially early on, that you would have put at the top of your probable "succeed" list. Thanks for reading! The climb is over for me." He is the second climber in line from the bottom, shown turning around. Then again, a balmy May afternoon on Everest can still cost you a toe or two to frostbite. Mel Carriere (author) from Snowbound and down in Northern Colorado on September 13, 2018: You are welcome Donna. blog: everest summit attempt . I think the personal aspect is really cool. He was one of a small number of climbers to summit the two highest peaks on earth: K2 and Everest. Thank you bedegiulio. And those people are, I think, very important to humanity actually, because they do change people by the way they conduct themselves in the world, by the way they give to the world, by the way they invite people into growing, to become bigger through daring, through, in Scott's case, adventure. However, he did accomplish what he set out to do. Kamler, who was with the National Geographic Team organized by the Explorer's Club, shows pictures from the day of the disaster. To Doug Hansen's daughter,You and your siblings have constructed a very beautiful memorial to your dad, on Little Si, near North Bend, WA. Thank you Cris Sp, I can certainly appreciated getting delayed because of Popeye's chicken. The leader is the brain of expedition. Doug was my favorite character in the movie because he's like most of us who nornally could never afford the price or time to train for such a tough climb. A businesswoman from Japan, Namba summited Everest in 1996 to become the second Japanese woman to climb the highest peak on each of the seven continents. I am busy trying to dig up more legendary letter carriers. No trace of the men has ever been found and Everest is keeping their icy tombs to herself. I feel John Hawkes portrayed my father well considering no contact was made with our family. It has a very huge impact on who I am today, meeting him. I so wish they had all survived. Beck Weathers: So many of my images of Rob have to do with the humor of the man. "To summit is optional to return is mandatory. Eric Dierker from Spring Valley, CA. Thanks for sharing this legendary mail carrier's story. These men sought to accomplish their ultimate goals and were aware of consequences by doing so. The memorial on Mt. He loved to run steps and so did I. You had me reading on here. 1996 Adventure Consultants Everest expedition. On the Tibetan side of the mountain, three Indian climbersâTsewang Smanla, Tsewang Paljor, and Dorje Morupâhad died during the storm, bringing the total of deaths that day to eight, the record number of deaths in one day. Kidding just a bit. The movie accurately portrays the fact that Harris attempted to climb the South Summit to bring oxygen to Doug Hansen and Rob Hall, who were stranded higher up the mountain and in ⦠Although human decisions certainly played a role, the fickle, unpredictable blizzards on the summit of Everest were ultimately responsible for the deaths of the climbers. Have a dream, work hard, and have fun. The owner and leader of Mountain Madness, Fischer was guiding Everest for the first time on the 1996 expedition. The ill-fated 1996 Adventure Consultants expedition. Happened to come across this article again. To know climbers is to really experience a zest for life that many cannot relate. Now get this – he returned a half of his climbers and saved their lives even though they didn’t want to give up. Thete is something to be admired in that. And his look was just -- he had a lot of compassion in him, but he had a devilish look. He was divorced, as is made plain in the movie, he had two children and a girlfriend he was seriously involved with at the time of his death, but other than this details about his life are sketchy. Because Hall was fond of Doug, whose easy going personality contributed to the positive atmosphere of his excursions, he offered him a significant discount to return to climb again in 1996. I have seen several documentaries about climbing Everest but never heard this story. Mr Hall stayed with the slowest climber, American client Doug Hansen. The recently released movie "Everest" draws from sources other than Krakauer's pro-Doug Hansen perspective, and doesn't take as favorable a view in depicting the postal worker's role in the 1996 tragedy. It's an interesting write-up and I enjoyed learning a little more about Doug. He was just a good, solid member to undertake this challenge with. Rob Hall had supposedly set a drop dead deadline of 2 PM, after which all climbers who had not arrived at the summit were to be turned back, out of concerns for severe weather and poor visibility that occur at the upper reaches of the mountain. Man, I'm gettin' too old for this stuff." I have a few mailman short stories with a character loosely based upon myself, and this same character is the main character in a novel I am trying to write. I want to see a real mailman try it though. Some people will achieve their goals and/or die trying. Beck Weathers: Doug was one of those guys that you kind of instantly like. As my sister Angie said, thank you for honoring our father. (Hey, it's my day off!) I never saw the film, didnt read the book but i have read quite a few articles. I knew a little about him from 'Into Thin Air' and also the movie but never picked up the fact that he was from near Seattle until I read the plaque on the bench. Letâs see, yellow parkaâthat must be Doug Hansen. I’m sure Doug was a nice guy. I think we all have had a time we should have died Eric, but that doesn't mean everybody wants to flirt with disaster. It's easy to be a Monday morning quarterback, but up on that mountain they were making life and death decisions. Doug was very thoughtful, as well, deferential. home . Doug was the kind of guy who, if there were people sitting around in the mess tent and you walked in, he'd be one of the first people you would go sit by; easy to get along with. Especially if that’s your “friend”. Melody Lassalle from California on November 04, 2015: I had hear of the book and movie, but wasn't really aware of the story. a talk with filmmaker david breashears Everest came in 1995, as part of an expedition led by an accomplished New Zealand climber Rob Hall, who formed a company called "Adventure Consultants" to guide clients to the summit of notable peaks around the world. He was an optimistic, enjoyable, upbeat fellow. Everest is an extremely dangerous enterprise; the massive mountain claiming the lives of more than 250 mountaineers since it was first attempted. I generally avoid news about Everest because so much of it is incorrect or hyperbole. Lou Kasischke: Doug was a very likeable, easygoing person. Just authentic. Perhaps the "Everest" film will help to resurrect his memory, and I hope to also do my humble part here. Wishing you all the best in living life to it's fullest! sh., I do not even want to argue. Doug told Jon Krakauer that Hall had called him "a dozen times" from New Zealand to urge him to get on board for a repeat attempt. I worked with Doug@ the Kent Post Office for several yrs. People loved him because he was genuine. He mentioned to his fellow team members that he had not eaten or slept for a few days, after which he finally told guide Rob Hall that he had decided to head back down. He will be remembered as a solid, supportive, friendly companion who didn't back down from one of the most daunting challenges that face mankind - to summit the world's highest mountain while braving blizzards, ice avalanches, and potential death from plunging down deadly, dizzying rock faces; all while under the physical duress brought about by scanty oxygen above 25,000 feet.. Because Doug may be the first and only Postal Worker to achieve this, he deserves a spot in the Legendary Letter Carriers Hall of Fame, as the first to be inducted here into this elite fraternity. No one really knows what happened to Doug and that's part of the mystery, he didn't just become a 'statistic' but became part of the legend that is EVEREST! Doug Hansen's story is perhaps the most devastating in all of Into Thin Air. I still am sad. I put it up there to reinforce the notion that nobody really was to blame. Courageous folk. I love those mountain climbing shows myself even though I have severe vertigo now and don't like climbing so much as a ladder. He was very good-looking, rugged-looking, clearly right out of the mountains. I remember one of the very first things when I got there, he wanted to make certain that none of us were going to be a bunch of down, whiny kind of folks. I appreciate you stopping by. I saw the movie when in came out and since gave read into thin air. http://www.rogerwendell.com/memorials.html. Doug Hansen Another client on Rob's team who was a postal worker back home. Their victory is his victory, and failure is his failure. He was the weakest climber and ultimately put Rob in an unwinnable situation. site map . Thank you got the exrta information on Doug. Everybody had a hand in the tragedy, but it was mostly the fickle whims of nature. He was an athlete in very good shape. As far as "Doug's fault" - if anything that decision is Rob's fault. I think you caught the spirit of the thing. He loved to have a laugh and a couple of beers with the crew like anybody else. A wiry, hard partying man with a prematurely weathered face that brought to mind an old football, he'd been a postal worker for more than twenty-seven years...Because I'd earned my living as a carpenter for eight years before becoming a writer-and because the tax bracket we shared set us conspicuously apart from the other clients-I already felt comfortable around Doug in a way I didn't with the others. After reading the book "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer, however, I have concluded that Hansen was probably a mail handler or ran a sorting machine. When Jon Krakauer attempted to rouse Doug out of his sleeping bag at Camp Two (21,300 feet) on April 26th, two weeks before the final ascent, Doug complained, "I feel like shit. I think something's wrong with my throat. A guide for Adventure Consultants and helicopter skiing guide in the winter, Harris was making his first Everest summit attempt with the 1996 expedition. Everest is in another universe when it comes to climbing. ISIS' growing foothold in Afghanistan is captured on film. Seems like most of the fatalities on Everest occur on the descent. I’m not attacking his character. On his descent from the summit he met climber Doug Hansen, who had run out of oxygen but was determined to make it to the top. And he laughed harder than anybody; not because the way he told a joke, he just loved a story, the camaraderie of it. Reynold Jay from Saginaw, Michigan on November 01, 2015: I think he was a sub mail carrier one day during a blizzard. ... On top of that, Hansen made an attempt on Everest a few years earlier with Hall but was forced to turn around within spitting distance of the summit. Having to live with everyone elses oopinions and conspiracy theories is exhausting. She was very proper, and she was an enjoyable individual to be around. Beyond the Limit”, 2007. I live in Seattle and was recently out for a trail run near the Cascades and was surprised to see a memorial bench for Doug.