Overview
In 1971, American Norman Dyhrenfurth led an expedition of 30 climbers from 13 different countries, including Don Whillans, Dougal Haston, Naomi Uemura, Pierre Mazeaud, Michel Vaucher, and others. This expedition aimed to simultaneously climb the southwest face and the direct west ridge. During the ascent, Indian climber Harsh Vardhan Bahuguna perished at Camp 3 in a storm. The expedition, already suffering from organizational problems, was severely tested after his death. The Americans decided, unilaterally, to abandon the west ridge. The Europeans, who had spent days equipping the route, were left out and felt relegated to the roles of route setters and porters. Frenchman Pierre Mazeaud, Swiss climbers Michel and Yvette Vaucher, and Italian Carlo Mauri then left the expedition. The Americans continued their ascent of the southwest face up to 8,350 meters before giving up.
Production
BBC
Cast & Characters
Norman Dyhrenfurth
Self
Michel Vaucher
Self
Yvette Vaucher
Self
Pierre Mazeaud
Self
Carlo Mauri
Self
Don Whillans
Self
Harsh Vardhan Bahuguna
Self
Paul Scofield
Narrator
Wolfgang Axt
Self
Odd Eliassen
Self
Duane Blume
Self
Arthur Chesterman
Self
Directors & Crew
Ned Kelly
Director
Anthony Thomas
Director
Murray Sayle
Writer
Nicolas Tomalin
Writer
Screenshots & Stills
