Everest: Beyond the Limit (2006–…): Season 2, Episode 7 - Breaking Point - full transcript
Now in the death zone, Team One leaves camp in the middle of the night for their summit push as Russell watches from the North Col. On the way to the summit, one climber is injured, but chooses not to tell Russell in fear of being ordered to turn around.
>> Narrator: LAST TIME ON
"EVEREST: BEYOND THE LIMIT,"
TEAM ONE ARE ON THEIR WAY TO THE
SUMMIT AND ARE CONFRONTED WITH
THE HORROR OF EVEREST.
>> THERE'S A BODY THERE.
I JUST SEEN A BODY.
>> Narrator: IT'S AN APPALLING
REMINDER OF THE RISKS AHEAD.
>> IT'S SAD, YOU KNOW?
I MEAN, HE COULDN'T BE DEAD FOR
MORE THAN A FEW DAYS.
>> Narrator: THEY'RE ABOUT TO
PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE.
>> I HAVEN'T SLEPT FOR NIGHTS.
>> Narrator: BUT NOTHING'S GONNA
STOP TIM MEDVETZ THIS TIME.
>> SUMMIT!
>> Narrator: NOW, FILMED BY
SHERPAS WITH HELMET-MOUNTED
CAMERAS, TEAM ONE FACE THE FINAL
DEADLY DAY.
GUIDE WOODY IS PUSHED TO HIS
LIMIT...
>> Narrator: ...AFTER DISASTER
STRIKES HIGH IN THE DEATH ZONE.
AND FIVE MILES UP, THE WHOLE
TEAM ARE IN MORTAL DANGER.
>> AAAH!
>> PAINFUL TO WATCH, ISN'T IT?
>> Narrator: MIDNIGHT, DAY 41 AT
CAMP 4 -- THE HIGHEST AND MOST
INHOSPITABLE CAMP ON EARTH.
1,500 FEET FROM THE TOP OF THE
WORLD, AMATEUR CLIMBER
TIM MEDVETZ AND HIS TEAMMATES
ARE PREPARING FOR THE TOUGHEST
DAY OF THEIR LIVES.
>> THE CAMPERS -- CAMPERS,
CAMP 4, ARE YOU GUYS AWAKE YET?
OVER.
>> Narrator: IT'S 4 DEGREES
FAHRENHEIT BELOW ZERO.
>> Narrator: THEY'VE SPENT THE
NIGHT IN WHAT'S KNOWN AS THE
DEATH ZONE, AT OVER 26,000 FEET.
WITH JUST ONE-THIRD THE OXYGEN
AT SEA LEVEL, THEIR BODIES ARE
SLOWLY DYING.
>> Narrator: THIS IS TIM'S
SECOND ATTEMPT.
HE DECIDED TO CLIMB EVEREST
AFTER A NEAR-FATAL BIKE CRASH.
IT LEFT HIM WITH METAL PINS
HOLDING HIS BODY TOGETHER.
AND HE ALMOST KILLED HIMSELF
TRYING TO SUMMIT EVEREST LAST
YEAR.
>> PRETTY MUCH, IT'S BEEN LIKE
AN OBSESSION FOR ME.
I JUST CAN'T GET IT OUT OF MY
HEAD.
>> Narrator: CLIMBING WITH HIM
ARE EVEREST NEWBIES
ENGLISHMAN ROD BABER...
LITHUANIAN DARIUS VAICIULIS...
AND U.S. DOCTOR FRED ZIEL, WHO'S
TRIED AND FAILED TO SUMMIT TWICE
BEFORE.
ONLY ONE IN THREE CLIMBERS MAKES
IT TO THE TOP AND BACK ALIVE.
THIS SEASON ALONE, SIX ARE DEAD.
THE TEAM ARE ALREADY SUFFERING,
AND THEY HAVEN'T EVEN BEGUN.
>> Narrator: YEARS OF
PREPARATION, TRAINING, AND 40
DAYS OF EXTREME ALTITUDE HAVE
BROUGHT THEM TO THIS POINT.
>> Narrator: ONE MILE BELOW AT
NORTH CALL, EXPEDITION LEADER
RUSSELL BRICE IS MONITORING
THEIR PROGRESS.
>> IT'S GOING TO BE ON SUMMIT
DAY WHEN EVERYTHING GOES WRONG.
IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW WELL YOU
PREPARE YOURSELF.
THINGS CAN GO WRONG.
AND WHEN THEY GO WRONG, THEY GO
HORRIBLY, HORRIBLY WRONG, AND
PEOPLE DIE.
>> Narrator: FOR THE FIRST TIME
EVER, RUSSELL HAS A LIVE LINK TO
DISCOVERY CHANNEL'S CAMERAS.
EACH CLIMBER HAS 18 HOURS OF
OXYGEN.
IT'S THE MOST THEY CAN CARRY AND
JUST ENOUGH TO GET THEM TO THE
SUMMIT AND BACK.
AT 12:40 A.M., TIM IS READY TO
GO.
>> Narrator: UP HERE, THE
SLIGHTEST MISTAKE CAN BE FATAL.
ENGLISHMAN ROD BABER IS NEXT OUT
OF CAMP.
>> OF COURSE, PEOPLE ARE NOT
SAYING ANYTHING -- ROD AND TIM
AND THEM.
YOU KNOW, THE RULES ARE TO TELL
US WHEN THEY'RE LEAVING AND
THINGS, BUT THEY'RE TOO EXCITED.
>> Narrator: THEIR FIRST
OBJECTIVE IS TO CLIMB TO THE
EXIT CRACKS, THE GATEWAY TO
EVEREST'S NORTHEAST RIDGE.
THIS PART OF THE CLIMB IS SO
DEMANDING, THEY TURN THEIR
OXYGEN TO FULL FLOW.
>> Narrator: TIM'S OUT FRONT.
AT 1:40 A.M., HE RADIOS RUSSELL.
>> Narrator: BIG TIM'S ENORMOUS
SIZE IS NOT IDEAL FOR
HIGH-ALTITUDE CLIMBING, AND THE
METAL HOLDING HIS ANKLE TOGETHER
ISN'T HELPING.
>> Narrator: NOW ON THE
NORTHEAST RIDGE, TO HIS LEFT IS
AN 11,000-FOOT ABYSS INTO NEPAL,
AND TO HIS RIGHT, A 2-MILE DROP
TO TIBET.
HE'S MAKING GOOD TIME.
BUT 90 MINUTES OUT OF CAMP,
DISASTER STRIKES.
>> AAH! AAH! AAH!
>> TIM!
>> Narrator: TIM'S BROKEN HIS
RIGHT HAND.
FOR A SECOND YEAR RUNNING, HIS
DREAM COULD BE SHATTERED.
>> Narrator: L.A. BIKER
TIM MEDVETZ IS HIGH IN THE DEATH
ZONE AND GAMBLING WITH HIS LIFE.
>> AAH! AAH!
>> Narrator: 90 MINUTES OUT OF
CAMP, HIS RIGHT HAND IS SO BADLY
BROKEN, HE CAN'T USE IT.
BUT TIM DECIDES TO CARRY ON
CLIMBING.
>> OHH!
>> Narrator: DESPITE THE PAIN,
HE DOESN'T TELL ANYONE FOR FEAR
OF BEING TURNED AROUND.
>> AAH!
>> Narrator: EVERY STEP UP IS A
STEP FURTHER FROM RESCUE.
BELOW TIM, THE REST OF THE TEAM
ARE MOVING UP FAST, BUT THEY
DON'T KNOW TIM'S HAND IS NOW
USELESS.
>> Narrator: WITH JUST ONE HAND,
TIM'S TOTALLY OFF-BALANCE.
GUIDE WOODY IS FIRST TO NOTICE
SOMETHING'S WRONG.
>> Narrator: DESPITE
EXCRUCIATING PAIN, TIM IS STILL
NOT TELLING.
>> Narrator: THEIR NEXT WAY
POINT IS MUSHROOM ROCK, WHERE
THE TEAMS SWAP OUT THEIR
EMPTY OXYGEN BOTTLES.
TIM'S HURTING BAD, AND THE NEXT
STAGE OF THE CLIMB IS THE SECOND
STEP -- A 100-FOOT VERTICAL ROCK
FACE.
WITH A BROKEN HAND, IT COULD BE
IMPOSSIBLE.
>> Narrator: WOODY DOESN'T
BELIEVE WHAT TIM'S TELLING HIM.
UNABLE TO LET GO OF HIS DREAM,
TIM IS PREPARED TO DO WHATEVER
IT TAKES.
>> Narrator: TIM CONVINCES WOODY
HE CAN STILL MAKE THE SUMMIT.
ON THE SECOND STEP, RUSSELL'S
SHERPAS HAVE ATTACHED A LADDER
TO THE MOST TECHNICAL PART OF
THE CLIMB.
ENGLISHMAN ROD IS HALFWAY UP.
PURE ADRENALINE IS DRIVING HIM
ON.
>> Narrator: ROD'S MADE IT, BUT
NOW IT'S TIM'S TURN.
>> AAH!
>> Narrator: TWO WEEKS EARLIER,
RUSSELL'S GUIDES PREDICTED TIM
COULD BE TROUBLE.
>> WHAT I'D BE REALLY SCARED IS
THAT HE PUSHES TOO HARD AND HE
GETS TO THE TOP AND THEN WE GET
THE CALL, YOU KNOW, FROM THE
SUMMIT, GOING, "I'M IN TROUBLE."
>> Narrator: BUT NO ONE KNEW IT
WOULD BE THIS BAD.
TIM'S PUTTING HIS LIFE ON THE
LINE AND HIS TEAMMATES IN
DANGER.
>> I'M STUCK.
>> Narrator: RUSSELL HAS NO IDEA
ABOUT TIM'S INJURY.
>> OHH!
AAAH!
>> Narrator: TIM MAKES THE TOP
OF THE CLIFFS.
HE'S NOW HIGHER THAN ANY OTHER
MOUNTAIN ON EARTH AND A VERY
LONG WAY FROM SAFETY.
>> Narrator: WOODY REALIZES
TIM'S INJURY IS A LOT WORSE THAN
HE FIRST THOUGHT.
>> Narrator: THIS TIME TIM MAY
HAVE PUSHED HIMSELF TOO FAR.
>> Narrator: AFTER 4 1/2 HOURS
IN FREEZING DARKNESS, DAWN
PROMISES RELIEF FROM THE EXTREME
COLD.
THE TEAM HAVE MADE IT TO THE TOP
OF THE SECOND STEP.
LITHUANIAN DARIUS AND AMERICAN
DOCTOR FRED ZIEL, WHO HAS FAILED
TWICE BEFORE, ARE MAKING STEADY
PROGRESS.
BUT FOR TIM, THINGS ARE GOING
FROM BAD TO WORSE.
HIS HAND IS BROKEN IN TWO
PLACES.
EVERY STEP IS AGONY.
>> Narrator: ONE MILE BELOW,
EXPEDITION DOCTOR MONICA PIRIS
IS ON CALL, BUT SHE HAS NO IDEA
TIM'S IN TROUBLE.
>> I GATHER IT'S NOT SO COLD UP
THERE, SO THEIR MAIN PROBLEMS
ARE GONNA BE EXHAUSTION AND
DEHYDRATION, I GUESS, AND
POTENTIAL ACCIDENTS -- PEOPLE
STUMBLING AROUND ON ROPES.
>> Narrator: TIM STILL DOESN'T
WANT TO RADIO IN.
MONICA AND RUSSELL ARE THE TWO
PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE POWER TO END
HIS SUMMIT BID.
ENGLISHMAN ROD IS CLIMBING
FASTER THAN ANYONE.
RUSSELL BELIEVES RAW FEAR IS
DRIVING HIM ON.
>> NERVOUS THIS MORNING.
RAN OUT OF THE BLOCKS.
>> YEAH, HE WAS NERVOUS FOR THE
PAST FEW DAYS, HUH?
MAYBE HE NEEDED THAT EXTRA TIME.
THE OTHERS HAVE CAUGHT UP.
>> Narrator: NEARING THE
HIGHEST POINT ON EARTH, HE'S ON
THE MOST DANGEROUS TRAVERSE.
AT 29,000 FEET, HE'S MADE THE
SUMMIT RIDGE WITH JUST YARDS TO
GO.
DR. FRED ZIEL IS 40 MINUTES
BEHIND ON THE NARROW TRAVERSE,
BUT THERE ARE ALREADY CLIMBERS
COMING DOWN, BLOCKING HIS ROUTE.
WITH THREE CLIMBERS CONNECTED TO
THE SAME ROPE, A SLIP FROM ONE
COULD EASILY PULL THE OTHERS OFF
THE MOUNTAIN.
TIM'S FALLEN WAY BEHIND.
>> OHH! UGH.
>> Narrator: THE SHERPA KNOWS
THEY'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME.
>> Narrator: BUT TIM'S STILL AN
HOUR FROM THE SUMMIT, AND IF HE
MAKES IT TO THE TOP, IT'S A LONG
WAY HOME.
>> Narrator: ON THE WAY UP, TIM
CAN USE HIS GOOD LEFT HAND TO
HOLD ON, BUT COMING DOWN, THE
ROPE WILL BE ON HIS RIGHT.
ROD'S NOW IN SIGHT OF THE
SUMMIT.
>> WONDER WHAT ROD'S BLOOD
PRESSURE IS.
WHAT WITH THE ALTITUDE AND THE
EXCITEMENT, GOODNESS ME.
I DON'T EVEN WANT TO THINK ABOUT
IT.
>> Narrator: ROD'S CLIMB STARTED
OUT AS A BET WITH FRIENDS IN A
BAR BACK HOME.
IT'S ABOUT TO PAY OFF.
>> ON TOP OF THE WORLD!
>> WHOO!
WHOO!
>> [ CHUCKLES ]
>> WELL DONE, ROD.
GIVE US A WAVE.
>> Narrator: IT'S 5:40 A.M., AND
ROD'S REACHED 29,028 FEET, THE
HIGHEST POINT ON EARTH.
BUT HE'S GOT ONE MORE GOAL -- TO
MAKE THE WORLD'S HIGHEST EVER
CELLPHONE CALL.
>> GOING TO FREEZE MY BUTT IN A
MINUTE.
>> Narrator: HE'S TAPED HIS CELL
BATTERY TO HIS CHEST TO KEEP IT
FROM FREEZING.
>> AAH! YEAH.
AHH.
OH, I'VE GOT A FULL BAR.
I HAVE TO MAKE A CALL.
MARK, IT'S ROD, MATE, CALLING
FROM THE TOP OF THE WORLD.
IT'S THE 21st OF SOMETHING --
[ COUGHS ]
MAY, 5:39, ON TOP OF THE WORLD.
IT'S FANTASTIC.
I'LL SEE YOU BACK IN BRIGHTON
FOR BEERS.
TAKE CARE.
DUDE, I JUST DID IT.
THAT WAS THE WORLD'S HIGHEST
PHONE CALL.
WE'RE ON TOP OF THE WORLD.
WE'VE DONE THE HARD BIT GOING
UP.
BUT THE DANGEROUS BIT IS GOING
DOWN.
80%, I THINK, OF ACCIDENTS ARE
CAUSED GOING DOWN.
YOU'RE LETHARGIC, YOU'RE FACING
AWAY FROM ROCK, YOU'RE COLD,
YOU'VE NOTHING TO HOLD ON TO IF
YOU SLIP.
SO I'M GOING TO SHAKE YOUR HAND
WHEN YOU GET DOWN TO THE BOTTOM,
'CAUSE THAT'S THE IMPORTANT BIT.
>> Narrator: IN HIS EXCITEMENT,
ROD'S FORGOTTEN AN ESSENTIAL
RULE.
>> WHERE'S MY GOGGLES?
GOGGLES.
>> Narrator: HE'S BEEN ON THE
SUMMIT FOR 20 MINUTES WITHOUT
HIS GOGGLES.
AT THIS ALTITUDE, THE SUN'S
ULTRAVIOLET RAYS ARE 15 TIMES
THE SAFE LIMIT, AND ROD'S
EYEBALLS ARE BEING BURNED.
HE DOESN'T KNOW IT, BUT AT BEST,
HE HAS EIGHT HOURS BEFORE SNOW
BLINDNESS WILL START AFFECTING
HIS SIGHT.
HE'S MADE THE SUMMIT, BUT THAT'S
ONLY HALFWAY, AND THIS IS NO
PLACE FOR A BLIND MAN.
>> Narrator: AT 29,028 FEET,
ROD BABER HAS CELEBRATED ON THE
SUMMIT FOR MORE THAN
20 MINUTES...
>> ON TOP OF THE WORLD!
>> Narrator: ...WITHOUT HIS
PROTECTIVE GOGGLES ON.
THE SUN'S RAYS ARE MUCH STRONGER
AT THIS ALTITUDE, AND ROD HAS
BURNED THE SURFACE OF HIS
EYEBALLS.
DESCENT IS DANGEROUS ENOUGH
WITHOUT A PROBLEM LIKE THIS.
>> READY?
>> Narrator: ROD DOESN'T KNOW
IT, BUT SOON HE COULD BE
SNOW-BLIND.
STILL ON HIS WAY UP, DR. FRED IS
GIVING EVERYTHING HE'S GOT.
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME HE'S
TRIED TO REACH THE SUMMIT.
HE SUFFERED SEVERE FROSTBITE ON
HIS FIRST ATTEMPT AND PNEUMONIA
ON HIS SECOND.
A MILE AND A HALF BELOW AT
ADVANCED BASE CAMP, KIEK, THE
GUIDE WHO RESCUED HIM IN 2003,
IS LISTENING IN.
HE'S HOPING FOR GOOD NEWS THIS
TIME.
>> HE'S A BRAVE MAN.
FIRST TIME HE CAME DOWN, 25
HOURS ON THE MOUNTAIN, BLIND.
SECOND TIME HE HAD PNEUMONIA.
>> Narrator: THIRD TIME'S A
CHARM FOR FRED.
HE'S IN SIGHT OF THE SUMMIT.
AT 6:20 A.M., HE STEPS ONTO THE
HIGHEST POINT ON THE PLANET.
>> THIS IS FRED.
WE'RE ON THE SUMMIT.
>> YAY!
>> THAT'S VERY GOOD.
I'M REALLY HAPPY FOR YOU.
AT LONG LAST, FRED.
I'M REALLY, REALLY PLEASED THAT
YOU MADE IT.
OVER.
>> THANKS FOR THE HELP, RUSS.
>> HEY, YOU DID IT YOURSELF.
YOU PUT ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE
OTHER.
>> I REALLY DID IT.
I OWE IT TO YOU, MAN. THANKS.
>> OKAY. YOU'VE GOT HALF AN HOUR
OR SO, AND THEN I'M GOING TO
START TELLING YOU TO GET READY
TO COME DOWN AGAIN.
>> I'LL TAKE SOME PICTURES.
I'M READY FOR THAT.
I'M REALLY STOKED. THANKS AGAIN.
>> FRED, CONGRATULATIONS, GUY.
UNBELIEVABLE.
THREE TIMES AND YOU MADE IT.
>> THAT MAN MUST BE HAPPY.
UNBELIEVABLE.
UNBELIEVABLE.
>> Narrator: AT 6:51 A.M.,
LITHUANIAN DARIUS VAICIULIS IS
THE THIRD MEMBER OF RUSSELL'S
TEAM TO MAKE IT TO THE TOP.
>> WHOO-HOO!
>> CONGRATULATIONS, WELL DONE,
AND WE'RE VERY HAPPY FOR THAT.
>> Narrator: ON HIS WAY DOWN,
ROD IS PASSING BIG TIM.
>> Narrator: TIM'S IN AGONY, AND
HE STILL HAS 300 VERTICAL FEET
TO GO.
>> Narrator: TIM KNOWS RUSSELL
COULD STILL TURN HIM AROUND.
>> YOU'D BETTER GET MOVING.
>> Narrator: TIM'S TERRIFIED OF
BEING TURNED AROUND, BUT HIS
BROKEN HAND IS SAPPING HIS
STRENGTH.
>> Narrator: WOODY AND RUSSELL
MUST KEEP THE PRESSURE ON.
>> Narrator: EVERY SECOND TIM
RESTS, HE'S USING UP VALUABLE
OXYGEN.
>> COME ON, TIM.
GET THAT BULK UP TO THE SUMMIT,
MAN.
>> Narrator: BUT TIM REALIZES
THIS TIME HE MAY HAVE GONE TOO
FAR.
>> [ COUGHS ]
>> Narrator: TIM'S THE ONLY ONE
OF HIS TEAM YET TO MAKE THE
SUMMIT.
AT 28,900 FEET, HE'S ALMOST OUT
OF TIME.
>> TIM, I'VE GOT MY EYE ON YOU.
YOU'D BETTER GET MOVING.
>> Narrator: LOWER ON THE
MOUNTAIN, TIM'S BUDDY MOGENS IS
LISTENING IN.
>> NEEDS TO GET OFF HIS HANDS
AND KNEES FIRST.
>> JUST A LITTLE BIT.
>> Narrator: IT'S JUST ENOUGH TO
GET TIM MOVING.
>> KEEP WALKING.
YOU'RE LOOKING GREAT.
>> Narrator: AT 7:20 A.M.,
RUSSELL GETS THE RADIO MESSAGE
HE'S BEEN WAITING FOR.
>> IT'S BEAUTIFUL UP HERE!
TOP OF THE WORLD, MA!
>> CONGRATULATIONS, TIM.
>> THANKS, RUSS.
USA!
WHOO!
>> I LOVE IT.
[ LAUGHS ]
>> IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL UP HERE.
I CAN'T EVEN TALK ABOUT IT.
I CAN'T EVEN TALK ABOUT IT.
[ CHUCKLES ]
>> Narrator: AGAINST ALL ODDS,
TIM'S REACHED THE HIGHEST POINT
ON EARTH, AND HE'S DONE IT WITH
A BROKEN HAND.
>> I HATE TO SAY IT, BUT I SHED
A TEAR UP HERE.
IT'S BEAUTIFUL.
OLD GLORY ON TOP OF THE WORLD.
I GOT IT UP HERE FOR YOU.
ALL RIGHT.
TOP OF THE WORLD, MA!
>> Narrator: ENGLISHMAN ROD IS
DESCENDING FAST.
HE'S MADE THE TOP OF THE SECOND
STEP.
IN DAYLIGHT, ITS FULL HORROR IS
REVEALED.
HE'S GOT TO REACH OVER THE EDGE
AND GET ONE FOOT ON THE TOP RUNG
OF THE LADDER.
ONE SLIP AND IT'S OVER.
ROD'S MADE THE DIFFICULT
DESCENT, BUT FOR TIM, IT WILL BE
EVEN HARDER.
>> ALL RIGHT.
>> Narrator: AFTER A BRIEF
CELEBRATION ON THE SUMMIT, TIM'S
GOT TO GET GOING.
>> LET'S SEE IF WE CAN GET HIM
DOWN NOW.
>> Narrator: WITH A BROKEN RIGHT
HAND, TIM CAN'T GRIP THE SAFETY
ROPES...
AND IS STUMBLING AROUND.
HE'S REALIZED HE CAN'T GET DOWN
ON HIS OWN.
>> Narrator: GUIDE WOODY'S GOT
HIS WORK CUT OUT.
TIM DOESN'T KNOW IF HE'S GOING
TO MAKE IT.
BUT FOR ENGLISHMAN ROD, EVERY
STEP IS A STEP CLOSER TO SAFETY.
HE'S IN SIGHT OF CAMP 4.
>> WHOO-HOO! WHOO-HOO!
>> Narrator: HE KNOWS LUCK HAS
BEEN ON HIS SIDE.
>> I SAW FIVE BODIES, AND, UM...
I'M JUST GLAD I COULDN'T SEE
THEIR FACES.
IT WAS PRETTY...
IT WAS PRETTY HORRENDOUS,
ACTUALLY.
I WOULD NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER
CLIMB EVEREST AGAIN.
IT IS HARD.
[ COUGHS ]
THE THING IS IT'S NOT FINISHED
YET.
IT ONLY FINISHES DOWN THERE.
>> Narrator: FRED AND DARIUS ARE
NEXT TO ARRIVE.
AFTER 8 1/2 HOURS CLIMBING, IT'S
A WELCOME REFUGE.
>> IT WAS A RELIEF TO GET THIS
THING OVER WITH.
TURNING AROUND AND COMING BACK
DOWN IS A LOT OF WORK.
>> Narrator: FOR FRED, THE
NIGHTMARES OF HIS TWO NEAR FATAL
ATTEMPTS ARE FADING.
>> I GUESS I DON'T HAVE TO THINK
ABOUT THIS ANYMORE.
HOPEFULLY...
I CAN SAY BYE TO THE ALBATROSS.
>> Narrator: TIM IS STILL
STRUGGLING TO GET DOWN.
AND GUIDE WOODY IS USING
EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO GET HIM
DOWN THE MOUNTAIN.
>> Narrator: THEY TIE A ROPE TO
HIM TO STOP HIM FROM FALLING.
RUSSELL KNOWS THAT WOODY'S GOT A
TOUGH TASK AHEAD.
>> I'M SURE HIS HEART'S UP
AMONGST HIS MOUTH, HAVING TO
DEAL WITH SOMEONE WHO CAN'T
CLIMB PROPERLY.
IT'S HARD WORK BEING ON THE SAME
FIXED ROPES AS SOMEONE THAT'S
GOING TO POSSIBLY FALL OFF.
>> [BLEEP]
>> Narrator: TIED TOGETHER, IF
ONE MAN FALLS, THERE'S A GOOD
CHANCE THEY'LL ALL FALL.
>> [BLEEP]
>> Narrator: TIM'S BEEN IN THE
DEATH ZONE FOR OVER 20 HOURS.
A LONG DAY UP HERE...IS A DEADLY
DAY.
>> IT'S JUST TAKING A LONG TIME.
EVERYTHING'S COMPOUNDING TO BE
MAKING IT A HARD DAY.
THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN BACK AGES
AGO.
>> Narrator: RUSSELL STILL
DOESN'T KNOW THAT TIM HAS BROKEN
HIS HAND.
>> PAINFUL TO WATCH, ISN'T IT?
HE'S NOT A MOUNTAINEER AT ALL.
>> Narrator: GUIDE DEAN RADIOS
IN THE NEWS.
>> AAAAH!
AAH!
>> Narrator: IT'S THE FIRST TIME
RUSSELL'S BEEN INFORMED.
AND TIM IS ABOUT TO DESCEND THE
MOST DANGEROUS PART OF THE
MOUNTAIN.
>> THERE'S LOTS OF THINGS THAT
CAN STILL GO WRONG, AND ONE OF
THEM IS TIM.
>> Narrator: WITH A BROKEN HAND,
ONE MISTAKE COULD BE FATAL.
>> Narrator: HIGH ON
MOUNT EVEREST, AT THE TOP OF THE
SECOND STEP, STRICKEN CLIMBER
TIM IS PREPARING TO CLIMB DOWN
100 FEET OF ROCK...
WITH A BROKEN HAND.
THERE'S NO OTHER WAY DOWN.
>> WHOA!
WHOA!
>> Narrator: THE EFFORT OF THE
SECOND STEP HAS LEFT THEM
EXHAUSTED.
>> [BLEEP] [BLEEP]
>> Narrator: ONE MILE BELOW, ROD
AND DARIUS HAVE REACHED THE
SAFETY OF ADVANCED BASE CAMP.
>> THANKS.
>> Narrator: ROD'S ABOUT TO FIND
OUT JUST HOW BADLY HIS EYES ARE
BURNT.
>> THE SUN WAS COMING UP, AND I
JUST STUPIDLY LOOKED INTO IT.
I THOUGHT 20 MINUTES WAS --
THANK YOU.
>> NO MINUTES.
>> BUT IT WAS FIRST THING IN THE
MORNING, AND IT WASN'T BRIGHT.
>> IS IT VERY PAINFUL?
>> IT STARTED OOZING SUDDENLY,
AND THESE CRUSTY BITS CAME OUT.
I NEEDED AN INJURY BEFORE I
WENT.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
>> THESE ARE COLD DROPS.
OKAY?
I MEAN, YOU REALLY SHOULD BE
RESTING IN THE DARK ALL DAY.
OKAY, I'M JUST GOING TO PUT SOME
OINTMENT IN.
THIS IS ANTIBIOTIC, AND IT
LUBRICATES AS WELL, SO IT MAKES
IT LESS PAINFUL.
>> OHH. OHH.
THANK YOU.
OH, THANK YOU FOR THE PAIN.
>> I'M JUST GONNA TRIM THIS
TAPE.
>> HOW LONG DOES IT LAST FOR?
>> IT USUALLY TAKES ABOUT
48 HOURS TO HEAL, OKAY?
>> Narrator: ROD'S BURNED ONE
EYE.
HE GOT OFF EASY.
>> PUT YOUR GLASSES ON ON TOP.
KEEP THEM ON EVEN IN TENTS,
'CAUSE IT'S STILL QUITE BRIGHT,
OKAY?
>> Narrator: AFTER 13 HOURS OF
CLIMBING, TIM'S IN SIGHT OF
CAMP 4.
>> SO, WOODY, ARE YOU HAPPY?
>> YEAH, ROGER.
>> SUMMIT! YEAH!
YEAH! USA!
[ SIGHS ]
[ BELCHES ]
>> Narrator: HE KNOWS HE'S LUCKY
TO BE ALIVE.
>> I DIDN'T WANT TO END UP LIKE
ONE OF THE OTHER DEAD CLIMBERS
UP THERE, AND THERE'S SO MANY OF
THEM UP THERE THIS YEAR.
IT'S UNBELIEVABLE.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO SAY.
>> Narrator: TIM'S BUDDY MOGENS
IS THERE TO GREET HIM.
>> GOOD JOB.
WHICH ONE IS THE BAD HAND?
CONGRATULATIONS.
YOU DID IT, MATE.
>> THIS ONE.
I CAN'T TAKE MY GLOVE OFF.
IT'S BROKE.
I WAS CRYING LIKE A LITTLE GIRL,
I WAS IN SO MUCH PAIN.
IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL UP THERE, MAN.
>> GOOD JOB, BUDDY.
>> Narrator: FOR GUIDE WOODY,
IT'S A JOB WELL DONE.
>> THE BIG GUY DID REALLY WELL.
IT WAS HIS RIGHT HAND.
WHEN HE HAD TO WRAP IT AROUND
THE ROPE LIKE THIS, HE COULDN'T
EVEN GRIP THE ROPE.
IT'S NOT EASY.
IT'S BLOODY DIFFICULT, AND YOU
GOT A BIG DROP TO YOUR SIDE.
IT COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE,
THAT'S FOR SURE.
>> WOODY IS TOP-NOTCH.
IF IT WASN'T FOR HIM, I'D STILL
BE COMING DOWN THEM ROPES TODAY.
I'D PROBABLY STILL BE UP THERE
FOR ANOTHER FOUR OR FIVE HOURS,
OR MAYBE I WOULD HAVE FELL OFF
THE ROPES AND WOULD HAVE ENDED
UP UP THERE.
HE'S MY HERO, MAN.
>> Narrator: TIM'S RIGHT HAND IS
SO SWOLLEN, HE CAN'T GET HIS
GLOVE OFF.
>> NOW FOR THE BAD MOMENT.
>> [ SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY ]
>> THIS FIRST.
OHH!
AAH!
AAH!
>> LEAVE IT ON.
>> UGH!
I'D PROBABLY JUST GO ALL THE
WAY DOWN NORTH COL, BUT I THINK
I BROKE MY HAND.
IT'S NOT A SAFE PLACE TO STAY,
'CAUSE, BASICALLY, YOUR BODY'S
DYING, LITERALLY.
YOUR LUNGS ARE FILLING WITH
WATER...
BRAIN'S SWELLING.
[ COUGHING ]
THE WORST DAY OF MY LIFE AND THE
GREATEST DAY OF MY LIFE.
>> Narrator: BUT THIS DAY ISN'T
OVER YET.
TIM NEEDS URGENT MEDICAL
ATTENTION.
HE'S STILL TWO MILES ABOVE BASE
CAMP, AND HE'S BEEN IN THE DEATH
ZONE FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS.
>> [ COUGHING ]
>> Narrator: HE NEEDS TO GET
DOWN FAST.
NEXT TIME ON "EVEREST," TEAM TWO
TAKE ON THE SUMMIT.
>> IT'S AMAZING, RUSS.
>> YEAH, ROGER.
>> Narrator: 71-YEAR-OLD
YANAGISAWA GAMBLES HIS LIFE ON A
RECORD-BREAKING BID FOR THE TOP.
>> [ SPEAKING JAPANESE ]
>> Narrator: AND DANISH
ASTHMATIC MOGENS TREADS THE LINE
BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.
>> AAAAH!
"EVEREST: BEYOND THE LIMIT,"
TEAM ONE ARE ON THEIR WAY TO THE
SUMMIT AND ARE CONFRONTED WITH
THE HORROR OF EVEREST.
>> THERE'S A BODY THERE.
I JUST SEEN A BODY.
>> Narrator: IT'S AN APPALLING
REMINDER OF THE RISKS AHEAD.
>> IT'S SAD, YOU KNOW?
I MEAN, HE COULDN'T BE DEAD FOR
MORE THAN A FEW DAYS.
>> Narrator: THEY'RE ABOUT TO
PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE.
>> I HAVEN'T SLEPT FOR NIGHTS.
>> Narrator: BUT NOTHING'S GONNA
STOP TIM MEDVETZ THIS TIME.
>> SUMMIT!
>> Narrator: NOW, FILMED BY
SHERPAS WITH HELMET-MOUNTED
CAMERAS, TEAM ONE FACE THE FINAL
DEADLY DAY.
GUIDE WOODY IS PUSHED TO HIS
LIMIT...
>> Narrator: ...AFTER DISASTER
STRIKES HIGH IN THE DEATH ZONE.
AND FIVE MILES UP, THE WHOLE
TEAM ARE IN MORTAL DANGER.
>> AAAH!
>> PAINFUL TO WATCH, ISN'T IT?
>> Narrator: MIDNIGHT, DAY 41 AT
CAMP 4 -- THE HIGHEST AND MOST
INHOSPITABLE CAMP ON EARTH.
1,500 FEET FROM THE TOP OF THE
WORLD, AMATEUR CLIMBER
TIM MEDVETZ AND HIS TEAMMATES
ARE PREPARING FOR THE TOUGHEST
DAY OF THEIR LIVES.
>> THE CAMPERS -- CAMPERS,
CAMP 4, ARE YOU GUYS AWAKE YET?
OVER.
>> Narrator: IT'S 4 DEGREES
FAHRENHEIT BELOW ZERO.
>> Narrator: THEY'VE SPENT THE
NIGHT IN WHAT'S KNOWN AS THE
DEATH ZONE, AT OVER 26,000 FEET.
WITH JUST ONE-THIRD THE OXYGEN
AT SEA LEVEL, THEIR BODIES ARE
SLOWLY DYING.
>> Narrator: THIS IS TIM'S
SECOND ATTEMPT.
HE DECIDED TO CLIMB EVEREST
AFTER A NEAR-FATAL BIKE CRASH.
IT LEFT HIM WITH METAL PINS
HOLDING HIS BODY TOGETHER.
AND HE ALMOST KILLED HIMSELF
TRYING TO SUMMIT EVEREST LAST
YEAR.
>> PRETTY MUCH, IT'S BEEN LIKE
AN OBSESSION FOR ME.
I JUST CAN'T GET IT OUT OF MY
HEAD.
>> Narrator: CLIMBING WITH HIM
ARE EVEREST NEWBIES
ENGLISHMAN ROD BABER...
LITHUANIAN DARIUS VAICIULIS...
AND U.S. DOCTOR FRED ZIEL, WHO'S
TRIED AND FAILED TO SUMMIT TWICE
BEFORE.
ONLY ONE IN THREE CLIMBERS MAKES
IT TO THE TOP AND BACK ALIVE.
THIS SEASON ALONE, SIX ARE DEAD.
THE TEAM ARE ALREADY SUFFERING,
AND THEY HAVEN'T EVEN BEGUN.
>> Narrator: YEARS OF
PREPARATION, TRAINING, AND 40
DAYS OF EXTREME ALTITUDE HAVE
BROUGHT THEM TO THIS POINT.
>> Narrator: ONE MILE BELOW AT
NORTH CALL, EXPEDITION LEADER
RUSSELL BRICE IS MONITORING
THEIR PROGRESS.
>> IT'S GOING TO BE ON SUMMIT
DAY WHEN EVERYTHING GOES WRONG.
IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW WELL YOU
PREPARE YOURSELF.
THINGS CAN GO WRONG.
AND WHEN THEY GO WRONG, THEY GO
HORRIBLY, HORRIBLY WRONG, AND
PEOPLE DIE.
>> Narrator: FOR THE FIRST TIME
EVER, RUSSELL HAS A LIVE LINK TO
DISCOVERY CHANNEL'S CAMERAS.
EACH CLIMBER HAS 18 HOURS OF
OXYGEN.
IT'S THE MOST THEY CAN CARRY AND
JUST ENOUGH TO GET THEM TO THE
SUMMIT AND BACK.
AT 12:40 A.M., TIM IS READY TO
GO.
>> Narrator: UP HERE, THE
SLIGHTEST MISTAKE CAN BE FATAL.
ENGLISHMAN ROD BABER IS NEXT OUT
OF CAMP.
>> OF COURSE, PEOPLE ARE NOT
SAYING ANYTHING -- ROD AND TIM
AND THEM.
YOU KNOW, THE RULES ARE TO TELL
US WHEN THEY'RE LEAVING AND
THINGS, BUT THEY'RE TOO EXCITED.
>> Narrator: THEIR FIRST
OBJECTIVE IS TO CLIMB TO THE
EXIT CRACKS, THE GATEWAY TO
EVEREST'S NORTHEAST RIDGE.
THIS PART OF THE CLIMB IS SO
DEMANDING, THEY TURN THEIR
OXYGEN TO FULL FLOW.
>> Narrator: TIM'S OUT FRONT.
AT 1:40 A.M., HE RADIOS RUSSELL.
>> Narrator: BIG TIM'S ENORMOUS
SIZE IS NOT IDEAL FOR
HIGH-ALTITUDE CLIMBING, AND THE
METAL HOLDING HIS ANKLE TOGETHER
ISN'T HELPING.
>> Narrator: NOW ON THE
NORTHEAST RIDGE, TO HIS LEFT IS
AN 11,000-FOOT ABYSS INTO NEPAL,
AND TO HIS RIGHT, A 2-MILE DROP
TO TIBET.
HE'S MAKING GOOD TIME.
BUT 90 MINUTES OUT OF CAMP,
DISASTER STRIKES.
>> AAH! AAH! AAH!
>> TIM!
>> Narrator: TIM'S BROKEN HIS
RIGHT HAND.
FOR A SECOND YEAR RUNNING, HIS
DREAM COULD BE SHATTERED.
>> Narrator: L.A. BIKER
TIM MEDVETZ IS HIGH IN THE DEATH
ZONE AND GAMBLING WITH HIS LIFE.
>> AAH! AAH!
>> Narrator: 90 MINUTES OUT OF
CAMP, HIS RIGHT HAND IS SO BADLY
BROKEN, HE CAN'T USE IT.
BUT TIM DECIDES TO CARRY ON
CLIMBING.
>> OHH!
>> Narrator: DESPITE THE PAIN,
HE DOESN'T TELL ANYONE FOR FEAR
OF BEING TURNED AROUND.
>> AAH!
>> Narrator: EVERY STEP UP IS A
STEP FURTHER FROM RESCUE.
BELOW TIM, THE REST OF THE TEAM
ARE MOVING UP FAST, BUT THEY
DON'T KNOW TIM'S HAND IS NOW
USELESS.
>> Narrator: WITH JUST ONE HAND,
TIM'S TOTALLY OFF-BALANCE.
GUIDE WOODY IS FIRST TO NOTICE
SOMETHING'S WRONG.
>> Narrator: DESPITE
EXCRUCIATING PAIN, TIM IS STILL
NOT TELLING.
>> Narrator: THEIR NEXT WAY
POINT IS MUSHROOM ROCK, WHERE
THE TEAMS SWAP OUT THEIR
EMPTY OXYGEN BOTTLES.
TIM'S HURTING BAD, AND THE NEXT
STAGE OF THE CLIMB IS THE SECOND
STEP -- A 100-FOOT VERTICAL ROCK
FACE.
WITH A BROKEN HAND, IT COULD BE
IMPOSSIBLE.
>> Narrator: WOODY DOESN'T
BELIEVE WHAT TIM'S TELLING HIM.
UNABLE TO LET GO OF HIS DREAM,
TIM IS PREPARED TO DO WHATEVER
IT TAKES.
>> Narrator: TIM CONVINCES WOODY
HE CAN STILL MAKE THE SUMMIT.
ON THE SECOND STEP, RUSSELL'S
SHERPAS HAVE ATTACHED A LADDER
TO THE MOST TECHNICAL PART OF
THE CLIMB.
ENGLISHMAN ROD IS HALFWAY UP.
PURE ADRENALINE IS DRIVING HIM
ON.
>> Narrator: ROD'S MADE IT, BUT
NOW IT'S TIM'S TURN.
>> AAH!
>> Narrator: TWO WEEKS EARLIER,
RUSSELL'S GUIDES PREDICTED TIM
COULD BE TROUBLE.
>> WHAT I'D BE REALLY SCARED IS
THAT HE PUSHES TOO HARD AND HE
GETS TO THE TOP AND THEN WE GET
THE CALL, YOU KNOW, FROM THE
SUMMIT, GOING, "I'M IN TROUBLE."
>> Narrator: BUT NO ONE KNEW IT
WOULD BE THIS BAD.
TIM'S PUTTING HIS LIFE ON THE
LINE AND HIS TEAMMATES IN
DANGER.
>> I'M STUCK.
>> Narrator: RUSSELL HAS NO IDEA
ABOUT TIM'S INJURY.
>> OHH!
AAAH!
>> Narrator: TIM MAKES THE TOP
OF THE CLIFFS.
HE'S NOW HIGHER THAN ANY OTHER
MOUNTAIN ON EARTH AND A VERY
LONG WAY FROM SAFETY.
>> Narrator: WOODY REALIZES
TIM'S INJURY IS A LOT WORSE THAN
HE FIRST THOUGHT.
>> Narrator: THIS TIME TIM MAY
HAVE PUSHED HIMSELF TOO FAR.
>> Narrator: AFTER 4 1/2 HOURS
IN FREEZING DARKNESS, DAWN
PROMISES RELIEF FROM THE EXTREME
COLD.
THE TEAM HAVE MADE IT TO THE TOP
OF THE SECOND STEP.
LITHUANIAN DARIUS AND AMERICAN
DOCTOR FRED ZIEL, WHO HAS FAILED
TWICE BEFORE, ARE MAKING STEADY
PROGRESS.
BUT FOR TIM, THINGS ARE GOING
FROM BAD TO WORSE.
HIS HAND IS BROKEN IN TWO
PLACES.
EVERY STEP IS AGONY.
>> Narrator: ONE MILE BELOW,
EXPEDITION DOCTOR MONICA PIRIS
IS ON CALL, BUT SHE HAS NO IDEA
TIM'S IN TROUBLE.
>> I GATHER IT'S NOT SO COLD UP
THERE, SO THEIR MAIN PROBLEMS
ARE GONNA BE EXHAUSTION AND
DEHYDRATION, I GUESS, AND
POTENTIAL ACCIDENTS -- PEOPLE
STUMBLING AROUND ON ROPES.
>> Narrator: TIM STILL DOESN'T
WANT TO RADIO IN.
MONICA AND RUSSELL ARE THE TWO
PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE POWER TO END
HIS SUMMIT BID.
ENGLISHMAN ROD IS CLIMBING
FASTER THAN ANYONE.
RUSSELL BELIEVES RAW FEAR IS
DRIVING HIM ON.
>> NERVOUS THIS MORNING.
RAN OUT OF THE BLOCKS.
>> YEAH, HE WAS NERVOUS FOR THE
PAST FEW DAYS, HUH?
MAYBE HE NEEDED THAT EXTRA TIME.
THE OTHERS HAVE CAUGHT UP.
>> Narrator: NEARING THE
HIGHEST POINT ON EARTH, HE'S ON
THE MOST DANGEROUS TRAVERSE.
AT 29,000 FEET, HE'S MADE THE
SUMMIT RIDGE WITH JUST YARDS TO
GO.
DR. FRED ZIEL IS 40 MINUTES
BEHIND ON THE NARROW TRAVERSE,
BUT THERE ARE ALREADY CLIMBERS
COMING DOWN, BLOCKING HIS ROUTE.
WITH THREE CLIMBERS CONNECTED TO
THE SAME ROPE, A SLIP FROM ONE
COULD EASILY PULL THE OTHERS OFF
THE MOUNTAIN.
TIM'S FALLEN WAY BEHIND.
>> OHH! UGH.
>> Narrator: THE SHERPA KNOWS
THEY'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME.
>> Narrator: BUT TIM'S STILL AN
HOUR FROM THE SUMMIT, AND IF HE
MAKES IT TO THE TOP, IT'S A LONG
WAY HOME.
>> Narrator: ON THE WAY UP, TIM
CAN USE HIS GOOD LEFT HAND TO
HOLD ON, BUT COMING DOWN, THE
ROPE WILL BE ON HIS RIGHT.
ROD'S NOW IN SIGHT OF THE
SUMMIT.
>> WONDER WHAT ROD'S BLOOD
PRESSURE IS.
WHAT WITH THE ALTITUDE AND THE
EXCITEMENT, GOODNESS ME.
I DON'T EVEN WANT TO THINK ABOUT
IT.
>> Narrator: ROD'S CLIMB STARTED
OUT AS A BET WITH FRIENDS IN A
BAR BACK HOME.
IT'S ABOUT TO PAY OFF.
>> ON TOP OF THE WORLD!
>> WHOO!
WHOO!
>> [ CHUCKLES ]
>> WELL DONE, ROD.
GIVE US A WAVE.
>> Narrator: IT'S 5:40 A.M., AND
ROD'S REACHED 29,028 FEET, THE
HIGHEST POINT ON EARTH.
BUT HE'S GOT ONE MORE GOAL -- TO
MAKE THE WORLD'S HIGHEST EVER
CELLPHONE CALL.
>> GOING TO FREEZE MY BUTT IN A
MINUTE.
>> Narrator: HE'S TAPED HIS CELL
BATTERY TO HIS CHEST TO KEEP IT
FROM FREEZING.
>> AAH! YEAH.
AHH.
OH, I'VE GOT A FULL BAR.
I HAVE TO MAKE A CALL.
MARK, IT'S ROD, MATE, CALLING
FROM THE TOP OF THE WORLD.
IT'S THE 21st OF SOMETHING --
[ COUGHS ]
MAY, 5:39, ON TOP OF THE WORLD.
IT'S FANTASTIC.
I'LL SEE YOU BACK IN BRIGHTON
FOR BEERS.
TAKE CARE.
DUDE, I JUST DID IT.
THAT WAS THE WORLD'S HIGHEST
PHONE CALL.
WE'RE ON TOP OF THE WORLD.
WE'VE DONE THE HARD BIT GOING
UP.
BUT THE DANGEROUS BIT IS GOING
DOWN.
80%, I THINK, OF ACCIDENTS ARE
CAUSED GOING DOWN.
YOU'RE LETHARGIC, YOU'RE FACING
AWAY FROM ROCK, YOU'RE COLD,
YOU'VE NOTHING TO HOLD ON TO IF
YOU SLIP.
SO I'M GOING TO SHAKE YOUR HAND
WHEN YOU GET DOWN TO THE BOTTOM,
'CAUSE THAT'S THE IMPORTANT BIT.
>> Narrator: IN HIS EXCITEMENT,
ROD'S FORGOTTEN AN ESSENTIAL
RULE.
>> WHERE'S MY GOGGLES?
GOGGLES.
>> Narrator: HE'S BEEN ON THE
SUMMIT FOR 20 MINUTES WITHOUT
HIS GOGGLES.
AT THIS ALTITUDE, THE SUN'S
ULTRAVIOLET RAYS ARE 15 TIMES
THE SAFE LIMIT, AND ROD'S
EYEBALLS ARE BEING BURNED.
HE DOESN'T KNOW IT, BUT AT BEST,
HE HAS EIGHT HOURS BEFORE SNOW
BLINDNESS WILL START AFFECTING
HIS SIGHT.
HE'S MADE THE SUMMIT, BUT THAT'S
ONLY HALFWAY, AND THIS IS NO
PLACE FOR A BLIND MAN.
>> Narrator: AT 29,028 FEET,
ROD BABER HAS CELEBRATED ON THE
SUMMIT FOR MORE THAN
20 MINUTES...
>> ON TOP OF THE WORLD!
>> Narrator: ...WITHOUT HIS
PROTECTIVE GOGGLES ON.
THE SUN'S RAYS ARE MUCH STRONGER
AT THIS ALTITUDE, AND ROD HAS
BURNED THE SURFACE OF HIS
EYEBALLS.
DESCENT IS DANGEROUS ENOUGH
WITHOUT A PROBLEM LIKE THIS.
>> READY?
>> Narrator: ROD DOESN'T KNOW
IT, BUT SOON HE COULD BE
SNOW-BLIND.
STILL ON HIS WAY UP, DR. FRED IS
GIVING EVERYTHING HE'S GOT.
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME HE'S
TRIED TO REACH THE SUMMIT.
HE SUFFERED SEVERE FROSTBITE ON
HIS FIRST ATTEMPT AND PNEUMONIA
ON HIS SECOND.
A MILE AND A HALF BELOW AT
ADVANCED BASE CAMP, KIEK, THE
GUIDE WHO RESCUED HIM IN 2003,
IS LISTENING IN.
HE'S HOPING FOR GOOD NEWS THIS
TIME.
>> HE'S A BRAVE MAN.
FIRST TIME HE CAME DOWN, 25
HOURS ON THE MOUNTAIN, BLIND.
SECOND TIME HE HAD PNEUMONIA.
>> Narrator: THIRD TIME'S A
CHARM FOR FRED.
HE'S IN SIGHT OF THE SUMMIT.
AT 6:20 A.M., HE STEPS ONTO THE
HIGHEST POINT ON THE PLANET.
>> THIS IS FRED.
WE'RE ON THE SUMMIT.
>> YAY!
>> THAT'S VERY GOOD.
I'M REALLY HAPPY FOR YOU.
AT LONG LAST, FRED.
I'M REALLY, REALLY PLEASED THAT
YOU MADE IT.
OVER.
>> THANKS FOR THE HELP, RUSS.
>> HEY, YOU DID IT YOURSELF.
YOU PUT ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE
OTHER.
>> I REALLY DID IT.
I OWE IT TO YOU, MAN. THANKS.
>> OKAY. YOU'VE GOT HALF AN HOUR
OR SO, AND THEN I'M GOING TO
START TELLING YOU TO GET READY
TO COME DOWN AGAIN.
>> I'LL TAKE SOME PICTURES.
I'M READY FOR THAT.
I'M REALLY STOKED. THANKS AGAIN.
>> FRED, CONGRATULATIONS, GUY.
UNBELIEVABLE.
THREE TIMES AND YOU MADE IT.
>> THAT MAN MUST BE HAPPY.
UNBELIEVABLE.
UNBELIEVABLE.
>> Narrator: AT 6:51 A.M.,
LITHUANIAN DARIUS VAICIULIS IS
THE THIRD MEMBER OF RUSSELL'S
TEAM TO MAKE IT TO THE TOP.
>> WHOO-HOO!
>> CONGRATULATIONS, WELL DONE,
AND WE'RE VERY HAPPY FOR THAT.
>> Narrator: ON HIS WAY DOWN,
ROD IS PASSING BIG TIM.
>> Narrator: TIM'S IN AGONY, AND
HE STILL HAS 300 VERTICAL FEET
TO GO.
>> Narrator: TIM KNOWS RUSSELL
COULD STILL TURN HIM AROUND.
>> YOU'D BETTER GET MOVING.
>> Narrator: TIM'S TERRIFIED OF
BEING TURNED AROUND, BUT HIS
BROKEN HAND IS SAPPING HIS
STRENGTH.
>> Narrator: WOODY AND RUSSELL
MUST KEEP THE PRESSURE ON.
>> Narrator: EVERY SECOND TIM
RESTS, HE'S USING UP VALUABLE
OXYGEN.
>> COME ON, TIM.
GET THAT BULK UP TO THE SUMMIT,
MAN.
>> Narrator: BUT TIM REALIZES
THIS TIME HE MAY HAVE GONE TOO
FAR.
>> [ COUGHS ]
>> Narrator: TIM'S THE ONLY ONE
OF HIS TEAM YET TO MAKE THE
SUMMIT.
AT 28,900 FEET, HE'S ALMOST OUT
OF TIME.
>> TIM, I'VE GOT MY EYE ON YOU.
YOU'D BETTER GET MOVING.
>> Narrator: LOWER ON THE
MOUNTAIN, TIM'S BUDDY MOGENS IS
LISTENING IN.
>> NEEDS TO GET OFF HIS HANDS
AND KNEES FIRST.
>> JUST A LITTLE BIT.
>> Narrator: IT'S JUST ENOUGH TO
GET TIM MOVING.
>> KEEP WALKING.
YOU'RE LOOKING GREAT.
>> Narrator: AT 7:20 A.M.,
RUSSELL GETS THE RADIO MESSAGE
HE'S BEEN WAITING FOR.
>> IT'S BEAUTIFUL UP HERE!
TOP OF THE WORLD, MA!
>> CONGRATULATIONS, TIM.
>> THANKS, RUSS.
USA!
WHOO!
>> I LOVE IT.
[ LAUGHS ]
>> IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL UP HERE.
I CAN'T EVEN TALK ABOUT IT.
I CAN'T EVEN TALK ABOUT IT.
[ CHUCKLES ]
>> Narrator: AGAINST ALL ODDS,
TIM'S REACHED THE HIGHEST POINT
ON EARTH, AND HE'S DONE IT WITH
A BROKEN HAND.
>> I HATE TO SAY IT, BUT I SHED
A TEAR UP HERE.
IT'S BEAUTIFUL.
OLD GLORY ON TOP OF THE WORLD.
I GOT IT UP HERE FOR YOU.
ALL RIGHT.
TOP OF THE WORLD, MA!
>> Narrator: ENGLISHMAN ROD IS
DESCENDING FAST.
HE'S MADE THE TOP OF THE SECOND
STEP.
IN DAYLIGHT, ITS FULL HORROR IS
REVEALED.
HE'S GOT TO REACH OVER THE EDGE
AND GET ONE FOOT ON THE TOP RUNG
OF THE LADDER.
ONE SLIP AND IT'S OVER.
ROD'S MADE THE DIFFICULT
DESCENT, BUT FOR TIM, IT WILL BE
EVEN HARDER.
>> ALL RIGHT.
>> Narrator: AFTER A BRIEF
CELEBRATION ON THE SUMMIT, TIM'S
GOT TO GET GOING.
>> LET'S SEE IF WE CAN GET HIM
DOWN NOW.
>> Narrator: WITH A BROKEN RIGHT
HAND, TIM CAN'T GRIP THE SAFETY
ROPES...
AND IS STUMBLING AROUND.
HE'S REALIZED HE CAN'T GET DOWN
ON HIS OWN.
>> Narrator: GUIDE WOODY'S GOT
HIS WORK CUT OUT.
TIM DOESN'T KNOW IF HE'S GOING
TO MAKE IT.
BUT FOR ENGLISHMAN ROD, EVERY
STEP IS A STEP CLOSER TO SAFETY.
HE'S IN SIGHT OF CAMP 4.
>> WHOO-HOO! WHOO-HOO!
>> Narrator: HE KNOWS LUCK HAS
BEEN ON HIS SIDE.
>> I SAW FIVE BODIES, AND, UM...
I'M JUST GLAD I COULDN'T SEE
THEIR FACES.
IT WAS PRETTY...
IT WAS PRETTY HORRENDOUS,
ACTUALLY.
I WOULD NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER
CLIMB EVEREST AGAIN.
IT IS HARD.
[ COUGHS ]
THE THING IS IT'S NOT FINISHED
YET.
IT ONLY FINISHES DOWN THERE.
>> Narrator: FRED AND DARIUS ARE
NEXT TO ARRIVE.
AFTER 8 1/2 HOURS CLIMBING, IT'S
A WELCOME REFUGE.
>> IT WAS A RELIEF TO GET THIS
THING OVER WITH.
TURNING AROUND AND COMING BACK
DOWN IS A LOT OF WORK.
>> Narrator: FOR FRED, THE
NIGHTMARES OF HIS TWO NEAR FATAL
ATTEMPTS ARE FADING.
>> I GUESS I DON'T HAVE TO THINK
ABOUT THIS ANYMORE.
HOPEFULLY...
I CAN SAY BYE TO THE ALBATROSS.
>> Narrator: TIM IS STILL
STRUGGLING TO GET DOWN.
AND GUIDE WOODY IS USING
EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO GET HIM
DOWN THE MOUNTAIN.
>> Narrator: THEY TIE A ROPE TO
HIM TO STOP HIM FROM FALLING.
RUSSELL KNOWS THAT WOODY'S GOT A
TOUGH TASK AHEAD.
>> I'M SURE HIS HEART'S UP
AMONGST HIS MOUTH, HAVING TO
DEAL WITH SOMEONE WHO CAN'T
CLIMB PROPERLY.
IT'S HARD WORK BEING ON THE SAME
FIXED ROPES AS SOMEONE THAT'S
GOING TO POSSIBLY FALL OFF.
>> [BLEEP]
>> Narrator: TIED TOGETHER, IF
ONE MAN FALLS, THERE'S A GOOD
CHANCE THEY'LL ALL FALL.
>> [BLEEP]
>> Narrator: TIM'S BEEN IN THE
DEATH ZONE FOR OVER 20 HOURS.
A LONG DAY UP HERE...IS A DEADLY
DAY.
>> IT'S JUST TAKING A LONG TIME.
EVERYTHING'S COMPOUNDING TO BE
MAKING IT A HARD DAY.
THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN BACK AGES
AGO.
>> Narrator: RUSSELL STILL
DOESN'T KNOW THAT TIM HAS BROKEN
HIS HAND.
>> PAINFUL TO WATCH, ISN'T IT?
HE'S NOT A MOUNTAINEER AT ALL.
>> Narrator: GUIDE DEAN RADIOS
IN THE NEWS.
>> AAAAH!
AAH!
>> Narrator: IT'S THE FIRST TIME
RUSSELL'S BEEN INFORMED.
AND TIM IS ABOUT TO DESCEND THE
MOST DANGEROUS PART OF THE
MOUNTAIN.
>> THERE'S LOTS OF THINGS THAT
CAN STILL GO WRONG, AND ONE OF
THEM IS TIM.
>> Narrator: WITH A BROKEN HAND,
ONE MISTAKE COULD BE FATAL.
>> Narrator: HIGH ON
MOUNT EVEREST, AT THE TOP OF THE
SECOND STEP, STRICKEN CLIMBER
TIM IS PREPARING TO CLIMB DOWN
100 FEET OF ROCK...
WITH A BROKEN HAND.
THERE'S NO OTHER WAY DOWN.
>> WHOA!
WHOA!
>> Narrator: THE EFFORT OF THE
SECOND STEP HAS LEFT THEM
EXHAUSTED.
>> [BLEEP] [BLEEP]
>> Narrator: ONE MILE BELOW, ROD
AND DARIUS HAVE REACHED THE
SAFETY OF ADVANCED BASE CAMP.
>> THANKS.
>> Narrator: ROD'S ABOUT TO FIND
OUT JUST HOW BADLY HIS EYES ARE
BURNT.
>> THE SUN WAS COMING UP, AND I
JUST STUPIDLY LOOKED INTO IT.
I THOUGHT 20 MINUTES WAS --
THANK YOU.
>> NO MINUTES.
>> BUT IT WAS FIRST THING IN THE
MORNING, AND IT WASN'T BRIGHT.
>> IS IT VERY PAINFUL?
>> IT STARTED OOZING SUDDENLY,
AND THESE CRUSTY BITS CAME OUT.
I NEEDED AN INJURY BEFORE I
WENT.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
>> THESE ARE COLD DROPS.
OKAY?
I MEAN, YOU REALLY SHOULD BE
RESTING IN THE DARK ALL DAY.
OKAY, I'M JUST GOING TO PUT SOME
OINTMENT IN.
THIS IS ANTIBIOTIC, AND IT
LUBRICATES AS WELL, SO IT MAKES
IT LESS PAINFUL.
>> OHH. OHH.
THANK YOU.
OH, THANK YOU FOR THE PAIN.
>> I'M JUST GONNA TRIM THIS
TAPE.
>> HOW LONG DOES IT LAST FOR?
>> IT USUALLY TAKES ABOUT
48 HOURS TO HEAL, OKAY?
>> Narrator: ROD'S BURNED ONE
EYE.
HE GOT OFF EASY.
>> PUT YOUR GLASSES ON ON TOP.
KEEP THEM ON EVEN IN TENTS,
'CAUSE IT'S STILL QUITE BRIGHT,
OKAY?
>> Narrator: AFTER 13 HOURS OF
CLIMBING, TIM'S IN SIGHT OF
CAMP 4.
>> SO, WOODY, ARE YOU HAPPY?
>> YEAH, ROGER.
>> SUMMIT! YEAH!
YEAH! USA!
[ SIGHS ]
[ BELCHES ]
>> Narrator: HE KNOWS HE'S LUCKY
TO BE ALIVE.
>> I DIDN'T WANT TO END UP LIKE
ONE OF THE OTHER DEAD CLIMBERS
UP THERE, AND THERE'S SO MANY OF
THEM UP THERE THIS YEAR.
IT'S UNBELIEVABLE.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO SAY.
>> Narrator: TIM'S BUDDY MOGENS
IS THERE TO GREET HIM.
>> GOOD JOB.
WHICH ONE IS THE BAD HAND?
CONGRATULATIONS.
YOU DID IT, MATE.
>> THIS ONE.
I CAN'T TAKE MY GLOVE OFF.
IT'S BROKE.
I WAS CRYING LIKE A LITTLE GIRL,
I WAS IN SO MUCH PAIN.
IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL UP THERE, MAN.
>> GOOD JOB, BUDDY.
>> Narrator: FOR GUIDE WOODY,
IT'S A JOB WELL DONE.
>> THE BIG GUY DID REALLY WELL.
IT WAS HIS RIGHT HAND.
WHEN HE HAD TO WRAP IT AROUND
THE ROPE LIKE THIS, HE COULDN'T
EVEN GRIP THE ROPE.
IT'S NOT EASY.
IT'S BLOODY DIFFICULT, AND YOU
GOT A BIG DROP TO YOUR SIDE.
IT COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE,
THAT'S FOR SURE.
>> WOODY IS TOP-NOTCH.
IF IT WASN'T FOR HIM, I'D STILL
BE COMING DOWN THEM ROPES TODAY.
I'D PROBABLY STILL BE UP THERE
FOR ANOTHER FOUR OR FIVE HOURS,
OR MAYBE I WOULD HAVE FELL OFF
THE ROPES AND WOULD HAVE ENDED
UP UP THERE.
HE'S MY HERO, MAN.
>> Narrator: TIM'S RIGHT HAND IS
SO SWOLLEN, HE CAN'T GET HIS
GLOVE OFF.
>> NOW FOR THE BAD MOMENT.
>> [ SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY ]
>> THIS FIRST.
OHH!
AAH!
AAH!
>> LEAVE IT ON.
>> UGH!
I'D PROBABLY JUST GO ALL THE
WAY DOWN NORTH COL, BUT I THINK
I BROKE MY HAND.
IT'S NOT A SAFE PLACE TO STAY,
'CAUSE, BASICALLY, YOUR BODY'S
DYING, LITERALLY.
YOUR LUNGS ARE FILLING WITH
WATER...
BRAIN'S SWELLING.
[ COUGHING ]
THE WORST DAY OF MY LIFE AND THE
GREATEST DAY OF MY LIFE.
>> Narrator: BUT THIS DAY ISN'T
OVER YET.
TIM NEEDS URGENT MEDICAL
ATTENTION.
HE'S STILL TWO MILES ABOVE BASE
CAMP, AND HE'S BEEN IN THE DEATH
ZONE FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS.
>> [ COUGHING ]
>> Narrator: HE NEEDS TO GET
DOWN FAST.
NEXT TIME ON "EVEREST," TEAM TWO
TAKE ON THE SUMMIT.
>> IT'S AMAZING, RUSS.
>> YEAH, ROGER.
>> Narrator: 71-YEAR-OLD
YANAGISAWA GAMBLES HIS LIFE ON A
RECORD-BREAKING BID FOR THE TOP.
>> [ SPEAKING JAPANESE ]
>> Narrator: AND DANISH
ASTHMATIC MOGENS TREADS THE LINE
BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.
>> AAAAH!