In March 1996, a series of commercial expeditions converges at Mount Everest's base camp, gearing up for an ambitious climb to the summit. Leading the Adventure Consultants team is Rob Hall, who has been instrumental in popularizing guided ascents of Everest. His clients include seasoned climber Beck Weathers, former mailman Doug Hansen, who is chasing a lifelong dream, and veteran climber Yasuko Namba, aiming to conquer her final peak in the Seven Summits challenge. Chief guide for the rival Mountain Madness is Scott Fischer, while Helen Wilton serves as Rob's diligent base camp manager.
Just a month prior, in New Zealand, Rob shares a heartfelt farewell with his pregnant wife, Jan, vowing to return in time for the birth of their child. Upon reaching base camp, he receives an excited fax from Jan announcing they are expecting a baby girl. Even though he proposes the name Sarah, Jan is not quite in agreement.
The journey begins with their arrival in Kathmandu, followed by a helicopter ride to Lukla, situated at 2800 meters. From there, the team embarks on a trek to Namche Bazaar at 3750 meters for climbing permit verification. They proceed past Tengboche Monastery at 3867 meters, traverse the Thok La mountain pass at 4877 meters, and finally arrive at Everest’s base camp, located at 5364 meters.
At base camp, every team is required to undertake three preparatory climbs prior to the ultimate ascent. The first stretch leads them to Camp One at over 5900 meters, followed by the heights of Camp Two at 6492 meters and Camp Three, stationed at 7345 meters, serving as the last resting point before the summit push. Concerned about potential crowding on the mountain, Rob persuades Scott to collaborate in minimizing delays during crucial parts of the climb, like the Hillary Step.
On their summit attempt, Rob's group sets out from Camp IV before dawn, aiming to reach the peak and begin their descent by 2 p.m., which is the latest safe time for their return. Unfortunately, they face a delay when they discover that the guide ropes have yet to be installed higher on the mountain. Beck, struggling with vision issues, is advised by Rob to turn back if his condition doesn’t improve in half an hour. Meanwhile, Scott, intent on assisting another climber, hastily retreats to camp yet aims to return to the ascent.
Rob successfully conquers the summit, joined by climbers including Yasuko, who joyfully plants her Japanese flag in the snow. However, on the descent, Rob encounters Doug, who is faltering just above the Hillary Step. Despite Rob's insistence that they turn back, Doug's determination leads them to the summit together after 4 p.m., where they also find Scott, who appears gravely affected by high-altitude pulmonary edema.
As Rob assists Doug in descending, a sudden blizzard envelops the mountain. Doug's oxygen supply depletes, causing him to become disoriented. Rob arranges for Helen to send oxygen up the mountain, but in a moment of confusion, Doug unclips himself from the guiding rope and tragically falls to his death.
Scott's health continues to deteriorate, and he urges fellow climbers to descend without him, resigning himself to lie down—an unfortunate prelude to his demise. The returning climbers soon find Beck, still grappling with impaired vision, but as the blizzard worsens, they lose their way, leaving Beck and Yasuko behind.
Following a desperate radio call from Rob, who is huddled with guide Andy Harris in the relentless storm, tragedy strikes again when Andy succumbs to hallucinations and falls to his death. In a heartbreaking morning, Rob informs Helen of the losses, as he finds himself suffering from severe frostbite. Helen reaches out to Jan, encouraging Rob to keep moving, but he expresses that he is "cold but comfortable" and asks her to name their baby Sarah. Shortly after this poignant moment, he meets his end.
The climbers returning to base camp relay news of Beck and Yasuko’s dire situation, but the treacherous weather renders a rescue impossible. Helen communicates with Beck's wife, Peach, about the ongoing predicament while Beck, astonishingly, regains consciousness the next morning, realizing Yasuko has perished. He manages to return to camp in a staggering state, severely frostbitten and in dire need of medical attention.
In a stroke of luck, Peach coordinates with the American Embassy for a helicopter rescue, although the flight poses significant risks due to high altitudes. The rescue crew successfully conducts a medical evacuation, albeit too late for Scott, whose body is discovered by one of his guides.
Upon their return, an emotional reunion takes place between Helen and Jan, who later gives birth and names her daughter Sarah. Meanwhile, Beck reunites with his family, albeit heavily bandaged. The closing credits reveal the heartbreaking aftermath, detailing Beck's severe frostbite loss of both hands and nose, while Rob's body remains on the treacherous mountain, a poignant reminder of the perilous journey that unfolded.
