Everest Beyond the Limit – Episoids 4,5 review

The final two episodes of Everest: Beyond the Limit Season 3 were quite good; very different from the first three in a number of ways.

First, malady the camera work seemed much better; perhaps because many of the scenes were in full daylight. The editing was smooth and neither episode felt rushed when compared, hospital especially, to the first episode.

Then, I think the story line was more even and took us into the team dynamics without any of the conflict. I appreciated hearing directly from so many of the climbers and their unfiltered honesty.

Finally, we held a Titter Chat (#EV09) with Astronaut and 2009 Everest summiter Scott Parasynksi who was featured in episode two. Discovery Blogger, Keith Cowing was also online to add color commentary. I think everyone enjoyed the opportunity to ask questions and make comments while watching the series.

Maybe because Russell Brice has two full series under his belt, he was key to making these episodes complete. His coaching of the climbers and careful monitoring brought us into the climb without the conflict and drama that was showcased in previous seasons.

My only comment is that once again, the Sherpas did not get enough air time. It is these guys who do all the hard work.

One telling scene was when Himex climber, John Hansen, needed help, a team of Sherpas rushed from Camp 2 bringing him oxygen and helping him down safely. Another telling moment was when we saw Brice congratulating climbers upon reaching the summit, he almost always started with or mentioned the Sherpa’s name before the climber. He knows.

It is easy to watch these shows from the warmth and comfort of our homes. But when I stop to consider what it takes to film the climbers in all types of weather, the technology involved to transmit real-time video, the excellent audio in high winds, the amazing amount of film that must be edited; hats off to Tigress for their work.

There were 450 summits in 2009 and sadly, 5 deaths on both sides. Let’s hope the 2010 season will be safe and successful for all involved.

Well done to all and thanks for bringing us in.

Climb On!
Alan

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5 thoughts on “Everest Beyond the Limit – Episoids 4,5 review

  1. I also was riveted at the thought of being stuck on Everest and having dysentery. I was further suprised at how embarrased Macklin was to have soiled himself. That seems to be the least of his worries. I’ve seen plenty of athletes soil themselves willingly or urinating in public in the interest of winning or just finishing all kinds of competitive events. I guess what i’m saying is that it is not as uncommon as one might think. I love watching this show, I wish other peaks would be featured as well.

  2. Sam and Andy, Thanks for making comments.

    I also would have liked to see the video and at least an update on how Macklin made his downclimb. It must not been too drama-filled or they would have shown it! Maybe there were no cameras with him. Just speculation but he probably went slow was was extra careful especially on the Hillary Step and slabs below the South Summit.

    The dysentery must have been awful for those guys, I can guess they caught it at camp2 where there is a lot of human waste and little clean water. It happens from time to time but these guys got it bad.

    Brice loves his Sherpas and rightfully so. They make his expeditions what they are.

  3. Alan,
    In general I loved the series. I’ll continue to watch it over and over again like I do with my copies of the previous two seasons. But one event that seemed to get glossed-over in episoid 5 is climber Chris Macklin. He was one of the climbers with dysentery who after an amazing effort, mixed with a little bit of summit fever, reached the summit in deteriorating weather conditions and found himself almost unable to stand up. On the descent the program narrator says “Chris is too unsteady to clip into the safety lines” moments later Chris is seen trying to downclimb and the narrator says” Its up to Chris if he is going to survive today”
    At this point there is a commercial break, when the show resumes the stricken climber Chris is in a tent at the south col. This situation surrounding Chris Macklin was probally some of the most dramatic life & death climbing footage on the show and we didn’t see any of it. I’m sure he had alot of help from the sherpas and his guides getting down the Hillary Step but the Tigress crew decided not to mention that either. I dont want to take anything away from Mr. Macklin’s achievement, I just wanted to see how it played-out.

  4. Nice review, Alan. Just to follow-up on one of your remarks, it was striking when Russell Brice said something like, “Without the Sherpas, none of you would have made the summit.” That seemed like a strong statement, but it’s probably true (even regarding the guides).

    I was also surprised that some of the climbers with dysentery continued to the summit, unloading in their pants along the way. I probably would have turned back at the onset of the malaise, but summit fever cannot be underestimated!

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