Surrender To Everest

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.

Cast

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