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Academy of Achievement: Sir Edmund
Hillary -Inducted 1973 Time 100 People of the Century: Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay -Time Magazine "We didn't know if it was humanly possible to reach the top of Mt. Everest. And even using oxygen as we were, if we did get to the top, we weren't at all sure whether we wouldn't drop dead or something of that nature." - Sir Edmund Hillary On May 29, 1953, at 11:30 in the morning, Edmund Hillary and a Nepalese Sherpa, Tenzing Norgay, reached the summit of Mount Everest, which lies between Tibet and Nepal, and at 29,028 feet above sea level is the highest point on earth. They had succeeded, and survived, where others had failed and even lost their lives. Between 1920 and 1952, seven major expeditions had failed to reach the summit; also famed mountaineer George Mallory perished during his attempt in 1924. Coincidentally, the conquest of Everest by a British-led expedition was announced on the eve of the coronation of England's Queen Elizabeth II, and upon his return to Britain with the other climbers he was knighted by the new Queen. The unprecedented feat of scaling the world's highest mountain brought this obscure beekeeper from Auckland, New Zealand, worldwide fame; history would call him the "Conqueror of Mt. Everest" and Time Magazine would name him "one of the Top 100 People of the 20th Century." This program offers an exclusive and personal conversation with Sir Edmund 50+ years after his famous accomplishment and a year before his death on January 11, 2008. Here he reflects on his triumphs, while remembering Mallory, and also commenting on his ideas of ethics and mountaineering, a topic that has been raised since the death of climber David Sharp. Produced by Golem Productions, Inc. 08DR/07AR JSCA 30 min. Associated Program: No Mean Feat: The Mark Inglis Story |
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2. Free Climb: The Northwest Face of Half Dome |
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CINE Golden Eagle
Award Associated Article: Verticle Horizons: Rock Climbing -National Parks Magazine Narrated by Robert Redford, this classic program documents the first free ascent of the 2,200-foot high vertical northwest face of Half Dome in Yosemite Valley, California, which was accomplished by two experienced rock climbers, Jim Erickson and Art Higbee, in 1976. It could be argued that this vertical Half Dome of granite is the most recognized site in Yosemite National Park; its image appears in the California State quarter and has been the inspiration behind many company and organization logos, including the Sierra Club and the company known as The North Face. How anyone could consider free climbing something nearly twice as high as the Empire State Building seems unimaginable; however, he we see it could be done. Free climbing, unlike aid climbing, means climbers may use only their hands, feet and other parts of the body to ascend; ropes and any other equipment may be used only for protection against possibility of injury. Beyond the incredible climbing and photography, what makes this program so compelling is the human drama. Erickson, we learn, had failed in nine previous attempts; then, as we watch both climbers reach 1000 feet, an unwelcome storm makes them have to face defeat again; we hear from Erickson's wife, Nancy, and Higbee's girlfriend, Carolyn Gomez, who add their insightful perspectives; then, six weeks later, both climbers make their monumental attempt again. Amazingly, after 34 hours, the climbers ascend to 2180 feet when they are forced to use ropes to reach the final 20 feet. To them it is a "magnificent failure"; but to history, it is a "magnificent achievement," hailed by all as the first successful free climb of Half Dome. Directed/Cinematography by Robert Godfrey. Produced by Richard Black and John Wiegand. 08DR/CL IJSCA 30 min. Associated Programs: Yosemite: Spirits Among the Rocks and Yosemite: Preserving the Wild and Shadow Casting: The Making of "A River Runs Through It" with Robert Redford |
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3. No Mean Feat: The Mark Inglis Story |
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"Recommended. A documentary of the impressive life of New
Zealand mountaineer Mark Inglis, who overcame the loss of both his legs
below the knee to frostbite, became a research scientist in leukemia
research, a winemaker, and an athlete with a disability ready to summit the
peak that cost him his legs. The best parts of the program are the mountain
climbing scenes as the camera follows Inglis up Mount Cook in his return. It
is recommended for all mountain climbing enthusiasts, as well as public
libraries and universities holding collections in human interest stories,
mountaineering, athletics, sports medicine, and outdoor studies." -EMRO
Review Some people never quit. Take Mark Inglis for example. Mark is a double amputee. He lost his legs through frostbite after being trapped for two weeks near the summit of New Zealand's highest mountain, Mount Cook, in 1982. Twenty years later he returned to the mountain that robbed him of his legs, to finish the climb begun two decades before. This classic documentary traces Mark's story from the time of his rescue, his hospitalization and double amputation. It follows his progress, and no-quit attitude, as he becomes a medical scientist working in the area of leukemia research, then one of New Zealand's leading winemakers, plus a Paralympic silver medal cyclist. Lastly, the cameras are alongside to record his determination and courage as he realizes his dream to once again stand on the top of New Zealand's highest peak. Produced by Chas Toogood. 08DR/CL JSCA 52 min. Associated Program: An Exclusive Conversation With Sir Edmund Hillary |
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"Recommended. A tremendous job of documenting an
incredibly dangerous undertaking." -Video Librarian Three men from disparate backgrounds join together to tackle the mountain variously nicknamed the Monarch of the Andes and The Stone Sentinel. At 23,036', Mount Aconcagua is no anthill. Produced by Dr. Derrik Woodbury. 07DR JSCA 30 min. |
| To the summit of Mount Elbrus, the highest mountain on the European continen, and where legend says the remains of Noah's ark can be found, during a tumultuous time in the history of Russia. Produced by Dr. Derrik Woodbury. 07DR IJSCA 25 min. |
| Denali is the Indian name for Mount McKinley, the highest mountain in North America, and this is the true story of eight people who tested themselves against "the great one." Produced by Dr. Derrik Woodbury. 07DR/CL JSCA 30 min. |