EverestHistory.com: Scott Fischer 1955-1996

As a young teenager Scott Fischer went to Wyoming to spend a few weeks as a participant on a wilderness course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), his life would never be the same. It was the beginning of a life full of adventure, a journey that in 1994 would take him to the summit of the world’s highest peak, Everest and unfortunately the beginning of a life that would end in tragedy.

When Scott turned 18 he went back to NOLS, this time as an instructor. It was with NOLS he gained the skills and technique that would eventually make him one of Americas most recognized mountain guides. He also met Jean Price while working for NOLS, the women he would later marry. The two settled in Seattle and have two children.

By 1984 Scott was ready to venture out on his own and began a guiding company called Mountain Madness. Mountain Madness led clients up some of the highest mountains on earth and in 1994 Scott led his first successful expedition to the summit of Everest. The expedition made the summit without the use of supplemental oxygen; they also removed over 5,000lbs of trash from the mountain. Due to this environmental action Scott gained notoriety outside of the climbing community. Over the years Scott also raised millions of dollars for AIDS research as well as the international relief organization CARE.

Although Scott started off his climbing career with the reputation of being a bit flamboyant and a risk taker, by the time he had started his family and begun Mountain Madness he had become much more conservative. Scott’s expedition group did reach the summit before the Everest storm of 1996 struck the mountain; however it remains a mystery why Scott did not turn his group or at least himself around before it was too late. Scott was the only member of his expedition to die that day. Fischer is survived by his wife and two children, Andy and Katie Rose. Mountain Madness continues on with Scott’s mission and is directed by Christine Boskoff.

Just the Fact: He summited Lhotse 5/19/1990, K2 9/16/1992, Everest 9/9/1994, and Everest 5/10/96. He also attempted Everest in 1987, 1989, and 1990 and failed to reach the summit.

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