Product Description

The popular Discovery Channel series follows the exploits of 12 amateur climbers in their attempt to climb the World s highest peak. The film was shot during the second deadliest climbing season on Mt Everest and in an unprecedented move cameras were strapped to the Sherpa s helmets to record nearly every step or misstep. The resulting footage provided viewers with a real sense of what it takes to conquer the world s most formidable peak. Production Facts: A 17-person production team used state-of-the art technology to capture the saga. During the filming, two of the crew members reached the summit and two others entered the 'Death Zone'. Every member of the crew lost a substantial amount of weight. The record loss was soundman Jake Drake-Brockman, who lost 18% of his body weight.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6451 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-11-19
• Rating: Exempt
• Formats: Box set, PAL
• Number of discs: 3
• Running time: 300 minutes

Synopsis
Join 12 amateur climbers in their attempt to climb Mount Everest, the world's highest peak. Using state-of-the art technology to capture the wonder of their Himalayan adventure, including cameras strapped to the Sherpa's helmets to record every step.

Customer Reviews

Beyond the limit of watchability
I have to agree with Sophie B on this one ,this series was made for the Discovery Channel and their propensity to string out an episode really detracts from the series as a whole.Each episode begins with ten minutes of a re-cap from the previous episode and ends with a preview of the next one ,some of the footage you will have to sit through three times before a new bit comes along .With some better editing this would have potential but sadly the repetition is mind numbing.Not impressed.

Fascinating human drama of 12 "novices" attempting to climb Everest
Having watched many DVDs & read articles by professional climbers & especially their attempts at the ultimate climb, I found this presentation somewhat different. Not all of the "novices" were in fact acolytes as some had considerable climbing experience - amputated limbs - to show for it & none could strictly be classified as the "tourist" climber which has become prevalent on these slopes.

Having said that amongst the 12 would-be summiters there was an eclectic mix from the experienced to the inexperienced.

Tragedy strikes early with death of a Sherpa at the ABC - Advanced Base Camp. This sets the tone of the video that this is not a Sunday afternoon jaunt in the countryside but rather an extremely difficult & possibly fatal trip. This team appears to be extremely well equipped & prepared with even their own medical doctor in attendance.

What becomes very clear is that the key to a successful climb is acclimisation whereby the climbers ascend to a higher level & then return to a lower climb. This sequence is repeated a number of times until the climber's body can accept the altitude.

The final climb is actually a dash to the top before the effects of the altitude take their toll on the climber. This fact is brought home to one in that most deaths occur on the descent when the effects of the altitude begin to take their toll.

The "tour guide" does not himself ascend to the top but rather remains at a lower camp & by means of radio communication instructs the team what to do. This results in some tense moments when a team member refuses to obey an instruction to abort their ascent despite being only a few hundred metres from the top of Everest. One can understand the climber's frustration at having the zenith within his grasp but appreciate that it is only the meticulous calculations of the team leader in base camp with his radio & telescope which will prevent both this climber & his Sherpa guide from dying.

Sense eventually prevails but one realises the precariousness of the situation when on the descent the climber, too exhausted to continue, barely makes it down. This episode in particular is gripping & the very precarious situation is not being enacted within a Hollywood studio but rather with real human lives.

Further drama is added when a dying member of another party cannot be rescued without jeopardizing the safety of their own party.

Overall the DVD is excellent & provides one with a clear perspective of the dangers & difficulties of climbing this mountain.

repetitive
Repetitive and a bit boring unfortunately. Not what i was hoping for. I think this is because it is a TV series stringing out events over too many parts. Also I found it trashy and not very insightful. Partly perhaps because I was saddened to see how over-commercialized the whole experience is now.

For a better idea of what i'd hope it to be like and what interests me about the challenge, I enjoyed 'The Man Who Skiied Down Everest' - shot on film and gives a thoughtful idea of what it was like to go there in the 70's - and using very little technology.