Climbing Mount Everest is challenge that most of us can not even begin to fathom. Yet there are many people who are obsessed with the thought of this life-threatening challenge. In a single day of the 1996 climbing season (May 11, 1996) eight people died on Mount Everest during summit attempts. In the entire season, fifteen people died trying to reach the summit, making it the deadliest single year in Everest history. The disaster gained wide publicity and raised questions about the commercialization of Everest.

One weekend, we watched Into Thin Air (1997) on Netflix’ streaming service. During the movie, we sat shaking our head wondering why anyone would attempt the climb. Yet afterwards, I found myself drawn back to the events of the 1996 season, fascinated at the audacity of the climbers. As a topic, Everest has been the subject of numerous films and documentaries:

Into Thin Air: Death on Everest (1997) – An adaptation of Jon Krakauer’s best selling book, “Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster“. This movie attempts to re-create the disastrous events that took place during the Mount Everest climb on May 10, 1996. It also follows Jon Krakauer throughout the movie, and portrays what he was going through while climbing this mountain.

Everest: IMAX (1998) – An international team of climbers ascends Mt. Everest in the spring of 1996. The film depicts their lengthy preparations for the climb, their trek to the summit, and their successful return to Base Camp. It also shows many of the challenges the group faced, including avalanches, lack of oxygen, treacherous ice walls, and a deadly blizzard.

FRONTLINE: Storm over Everest (2008) – As darkness fell on May 10, 1996, a fast-moving storm of unimaginable ferocity trapped three climbing teams high on the slopes of Mount Everest. The exhausted climbers were soon lost far from the safety of High Camp at 26,000 feet. World-renowned climber and filmmaker David Breashears, who aided the rescue efforts back in 1996, now returns to Everest to shed new light on the worst climbing tragedy in Everest’s history.

Everest: Beyond the Limit (2007, season 1) – Experience Everest as it’s never been before in this harrowing trek to touch the roof of the world. With unusually severe weather and heartbreaking circumstances, this expedition up the world’s tallest peak becomes fraught with unexpected perils, leading to an emotional journey full of fear, hardship, exhaustion, disappointment and unforgettable triumphs. Boasting a crew of climbers each with something to prove, this expedition includes the first-ever double amputee to aim for the summit, an asthmatic climber ascending without bottled oxygen and a motorcyclist embracing life once again after a near-fatal traffic accident. Discovery Channel also made a season 2 in 2008.

The Dark Side of Everest (2003) – For some mountaineers, the top of the world also represents the peak of human ambition. But when things go badly high on Everest, as they will sooner or later, difficult moral dilemmas play out in dramatic fashion on a global stage.

Miracle on Everest (2008) – 2006 was one of the most deadly Everest seasons on record. Record numbers of climbers took advantage of clear weather and attempted to reach the summit. Among their number was Lincoln Hall, an experienced climber who had failed to reach the peak 22 years earlier. This time, Hall made it to the top, but shortly afterwards began to behave irrationally, and collapsed. He was declared dead, his family was informed and the news hit the headlines. But later that night, something happened which scientists cannot explain. Hall was found alive, sitting cross legged on the mountainside.

The Conquest of Everest (1953) – It could be said that Conquest of Everest was 30 years in the making. In the early 1920s, the British Mallory expedition tried and failed to climb the world’s highest mountain. Films of this abortive mission are presented in contrast to the coverage of the far more successful (and infinitely more famous) 1952 ascent of Everest. Most of the footage seen herein was lensed by George Lowe, a member of the expedition. Alas, it was impossible to film scenes of the peak itself; the victory is thus conveyed verbally by narrator Meredith Edwards and by other expedition members.

Team Everest: A Himalayan Journey (2007) – Team Everest chronicles a remarkable group of trekkers on an expedition to the world’s highest mountain. If they succeed in their quest, the team will be the largest group of people with disabilities ever to reach Mount Everest Base Camp. Five men in wheelchairs and their teammates-representing a range of disabilities-trek 21 days through the high Himalaya. From their departure in the Sherpa village of Lukla, the team will attempt to reach an altitude of over 17,500 feet in one of the most inaccessible regions on earth. A Nepali support team is engaged to help push, pull, and carry members over the rugged, steep terrain. In this part of the world, the altitude and intense cold can stop even the most experienced hikers in their tracks. Yet if the team reaches Base Camp, expedition leader and amputee, Gary Guller, will make a bid for the summit of Everest.

Epic of Everest (1924) – Silent film by Captain John Noel’s of George Mallory’s ill-fated attempt on the ascent of Everest was one of the famous films of the 1920s.

Other media links for Everest:

NPR’s Talk of the Nation: Climber Recounts Tragedy in ‘Storm Over Everest’

YouTube - Link toInside the 1996 Everest Disaster - Ken Kamler

YouTube - Link toWild Chronicles - Facing Everest

Download Video

Adventure Consultants, Rob Hall’s company

Popularity: 14%