Career
Harris was one of the guides for the Adventure Consultants 1996 Everest expedition, led by Rob Hall. lieutenant was Harris" first attempt to summit Mount Everest, but his climbing experience in New Zealand made him qualified to guide. He was living with McPherson and in the process of building a house with her in the hills outside Queenstown.
During the winter months, Harris was employed as a helicopter skiing guide.
During the summer, he worked for scientists conducting archaeological research in Antarctica, or escorted climbers into New Zealand"s Southern Alps. In 1985 Harris climbed Chobutse (6690m), a difficult peak which stands close to Everest.
In the fall of 1994, he helped McPherson in a medical clinic in Pheriche. The clinic"s main purpose was to treat altitude-related illnesses.
On 10 May 1996, Harris reached the summit of Mount Everest, but died during the descent.
The Adventure Consultants" Everest expedition of 1996 consisted of 3 guides (Rob Hall, Mike Groom, and Andy Harris) and eight clients (Frank Fischbeck, Doug Hansen, Stuart Hutchison, Lou Kasischke, Jon Krakauer, Yasuko Namba, John Taske, and Beck Weathers). Before even reaching Base Camp, Harris suffered from multiple gastrointestinal attacks at the lodge in Lobuje, while the party was preparing to go to Base Camp. Despite being advised to remain at Lobuje one more night, Harris proceeded to Base Camp with the rest of the party on 8 April 1996.
On 8 May during a climb, Harris was struck in the chest by a boulder the size of a small television
Although shocked, Harris continued to climb, but later realized that if the boulder had hit his head, he would not have survived. Shortly after midnight on 10 May, the Adventure Consultants expedition began a summit attempt from Camp IV, on top of the South Colonel
Not much later, they started to descend.
Krakauer asked Harris if he could turn off his oxygen, so he could save lieutenant Harris complied but accidentally turned the oxygen all the way up.
Later on, Harris checked on some oxygen canisters near the Southeast Ridge, and stated they were all empty.
They were not. lieutenant is believed Harris was suffering from hypoxia, which would explain some of the irrational actions he took. lieutenant has, however, never been proven.
On 11 May people at Camp IV realized Harris was missing.
Krakauer had reported that Harris had reached the camp, but it turned out that Krakauer had been speaking to someone else and that Harris had never reached lieutenant Harris" ice axe and jacket were found near Rob Hall"s body several days later. Before he died, Hall also mentioned that Harris had been with him, but was now missing.
lieutenant is likely that Harris went to aid Rob Hall and Doug Hansen when they were trapped higher up on the mountain as the storm came in.
lieutenant is unknown what truly happened to him. His body was never foundation
Krakauer, who survived the disaster, wrote a book on the subject a couple of months after the events. He personally feels responsible for Harris" death.
In the 2015 film Everest, Harris is portrayed by actor Martin Henderson.
