Andy Harris

Andrew Michael Harris (29 September 1964 – 11 May 1996), known as Andy Harris, was a New Zealand mountain guide who died in the 1996 Mount Everest disaster. Harris was one of the guides for the Adventure Consultants' 1996 Everest expedition, led by Rob Hall. It was Harris' first attempt to summit Mount Everest, though he had extensive climbing experience in New Zealand.

Biography At the time of his death, Harris was survived by his parents Ron and Marry Harris, his older brother David Harris, and his physician girlfriend Fiona McPherson. He was living with McPherson and in the process of building a house with her in the hills outside Queenstown.

At a younger age, Harris was a student at Francis Douglas Memorial College in New Plymouth. During the winter months, Harris was employed as a helicopter skiing guide. During the summers, he worked for scientists conducting archaeological research in Antarctica as a New Zealand Antarctic Research Programme (NZARP) field leader from 1987 until 1992, and escorted climbers into New Zealand's Southern Alps.

In 1985 Harris climbed Chobutse (6690m), a difficult peak which stands west of Everest.

On May 9 at 11:30 p.m. local time the group - followed shortly thereafter by several other expeditions - headed for the summit. A climber from another expedition called them "old" and "slow." and by noon five out of eight team members had ended their summit bids.

At approximately 1:12 p.m., Harris, Anatoli Boukreev, and Krakauer reached the top of Everest. They then started to descend. Krakauer asked Harris if Harris could turn off Krakauer's oxygen, to save it. 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, which they were not.

Krakauer, who survived the disaster, wrote a magazine article and then a book on the subject after the events. Regarding his failure to recognize that Andy Harris was weakened and acting irrationally from altitude and lack of oxygen, Krakauer wrote that his own "actions – or failure to act – played a direct role in the death of Andy Harris."

Harris's 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. It 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. It is unknown what happened to him, as his body was never found.

Memorial A few minutes from Gorakshep towards the Everest Base Camp, a memorial was built for the members of the Adventure Consultants' team that died during the expedition: Andy Harris, Rob Hall, Doug Hansen and Yasuko Namba.

Legacy In 1998, New Zealand Geographic Board named a peak at Victoria Land, Antarctica, after Harris. Harris Peak is located between Mount Hall and Ball Peak, names associated with Harris's. and his old school held a special tribute in his honor.

In the 2015 film Everest, Harris was portrayed by actor Martin Henderson.