hillary step before and after

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Nature

The Hillary Step was a famous 40-foot vertical rock face on Mount Everest's southeast ridge at about 8,790 meters elevation. It was considered one of the most challenging and iconic sections of the Everest climb. However, the 2015 Nepal earthquake significantly altered the Hillary Step. The rock face either collapsed or was covered with snow and debris, making it easier and safer to climb but also changing this historic feature. Climbers report that the steep vertical rock formation visible before 2015 is no longer the same, with some describing it as gone or transformed into a gentler, less technical route. Despite this change, the area remains a bottleneck due to high climber traffic during the short climbing seasons.

Regarding "hillary step before and after," the key point is that before 2015, it was a striking, challenging vertical rock face that required 10-20 minutes to climb for experienced mountaineers, but after the earthquake, the feature was altered significantly, reducing the technical difficulty and climbing time.

If the question also pertains to Hillary Clinton, she is a U.S. politician born in 1947 with a long career involving public service as First Lady, U.S. Senator, Secretary of State, and presidential candidate. Her biography has no direct relation to the Hillary Step on Everest except in name.

Please confirm if the focus is on the Hillary Step on Everest or Hillary Clinton for more detailed information.