Everest: Beyond the Limit online
If you missed Everest:Beyond the Limit Season 3 (2009) you can watch all 5 episodes online for free http://tinyurl.com/yeyav9o Update: it seems it is not available online in Europe.
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
Everest: Beyond the Limit – a review
Tigress Productions filmed two teams on Everest this past spring and tonight, advice The Discovery Channel aired in the U.S. the first three episodes of the five part season. For the first time they filmed on the Nepal, south, side of Everest since the Chinese made it too difficult to climb from the north in 2009. Also they followed two teams, Eric Simonson’s International Mountain Guides in addition to their regular; Russel Brice’s Himalayan Experience (Himex). In a departure from their formula of interpersonal conflict, exaggerated drama and defiant climbers; this season focused almost exclusively on climbing. In the previous two seasons, Himex climbers were followed as they met in base camp and spent several weeks acclimatizing through a series of climbs to ever higher camps. We got to know each climber individually and, of course, all the characters. This time, the producers choose to focus on a couple of climbers each hour with most of the footage above base camp. We really never got to know any of them. Episode 3 was my favorite. I enjoyed the helmet mounted camera shots. It was most impressive to follow Scott Parazynski and his immediate Sherpa team as they climbed above the South Summit, the Hillary Step and onto the summit in the early morning hours. Fellow climber, Dawes Eddy was there and became the oldest American to summit and return safely to base camp – at least for that moment. He was 66. Episode 2 focused primarily on John Golden and his amazing performance with a reconstructed knee that was inspirational but left some viewers wondering about the risks. In a throwback to previous seasons, the cameras had tight shots of a pained Golden negotiating with Simonson after he allegedly broke his ribs. Golden wanted another shot at the summit and Simonson said no. David Tait, a gifted climber from Briton was the star of the first episode but it felt extremely rushed for what he accomplished – summiting with the Sherpa who were fixing the ropes. The avalanches from Everest’s West Shoulder dominated the first episode showing in detail the crevasse rescue of Walter Laserer and the death of Lhakpa Nuru. Some viewers were hoping for more scenes of the process of climbing Everest including the trek to base camp from Lukla. This section makes a south side climb very unique in the world of climbing and quite different from the north. It is a shame the producers left this out. Also, a bit more on life at base camp would have been nice. There are only five episodes this season and the final two focus on Himex. I hosted a Twitter Chat during the three episodes and it seemed that most people enjoyed it but preferred the previous format. As a climber, I liked the climbing scenes and less of the over-hyped drama. But I can also see that many people enjoy watching the antics of people driven to summit at all costs like we have seen in previous seasons. One point, I am sure everyone agrees, no annoying “Ever-ever-ever-Rest-rest-rest” from the narrator. Climb On! Alan PS I will host another chat on Wednesday for the final two episodes. Just follow me or search Twitter for #EV09.
Discovery Channel: Everest Season 3 Details
According to the production company, Tigress Productions, shop Season 3 will air on the Discovery Channel in the US on Sunday, 27th December and Wednesday, 30th December. The first three episodes are being shown on the 27th at 8, 9 & 10 pm EST followed by episodes 4 & 5 at 9 & 10 pm on the 30th. Episode One covers early trips through the ice fall, David Tait’s summit with the rope fixing team and the ice fall avalanche that killed the Sherpa. Episode Two concentrates on John Golden’s summit attempt with IMG Episode Three covers the main IMG team summit on May 20 Episode Four is the first Himex summits on May 21 Episode Five is the second Himex summits on May 23 As many already know, film crews followed two teams on the south in the spring of 2009. International Mountain Guides (Eric Simonson) and Himalayan Experience aka Himex (Russel Brice) allowed film crews to film every move including summit night. Sherpas and climbers were outfitted with helmet cameras to follow climbers through the Khumbu Icefall, Hillary step and on to the summit. I don’t think there are any “characters” like we have seen in previous seasons but I am sure there will be some surprises. The main event appears to be the UK’s David Tait’s surprise summit with Sherpas fixing ropes before the main onslaught. Also the unstable Khumbu Icefall which took the life of Sherpa Lhakpa Nuru. I also expect to see a lot of NASA Astronaut Scott Parazynski who became the first person to fly in the space shuttle and summit Everest. Should be an interesting series. This is the link to Discovery’s TV schedule Climb On! Alan