Based upon a tragic 1996 accident on Mount Everest, the film Everest captures the awe and terror that this behemoth mountain inspires. With gripping human drama, this film shines a spotlight upon the human quest to challenge physical limits. Here are five facts that you will take away from the film.
The "Death Zone" is real
Once climbers reach the altitude of approximately 26,000 feet, their bodies begin to shut down. Human beings were not made to exist at the same cruising altitude of a 747 jetliner.
A Guided Everest Climb
When Jon Krakauer was hired by Outside magazine to do a story about a climb to Everest's base camp, he became so interested in the idea of summiting Everest that he decided to become a serious mountain climber once again. It took him about a year to get back into shape for the dangerous trek all the way to the summit. It is interesting to think about how much attention the tragedy would have received had it not been for Krakauer's best-selling account of it in the book Into Thin Air. It is through Krakauer's eyes that many people were initially able to find out about the events of May, 1996.
Decisions
Driven by a combination of factors, sometimes things can begin to spiral out of control on Everest. When the weather takes a sudden turn for the worse and the altitude begins to wreak havoc upon normal judgment, it can create a perfect storm. Just because someone has years of experience summiting the highest peaks in the world, doesn't mean that they're equipped to handle some of the epic emergencies that can occur on a mountain like Everest.
Attempt to climb Everest
The movie will help remind you that these are some of the most unforgiving conditions on the planet—howling winds, a devastatingly cold chill and possible avalanches are all in a day's work for this mountain. One of the most common injuries sustained on Everest in frostbite. Just a few seconds out in the cold can permanently damage some body parts, so it is absolutely crucial to cover up. You'll need crampons that will grip onto the snow, as well as shoes that will allow your toes to move around, reducing the risk of frostbite. Some climbers even go as far as to install heating implements in their shoes to further slash the chances of getting frostbite. Fleeces, tyvek suits, down jackets, gloves and mittens should be a part of every climber's Everest wardrobe.
Prepare Yourself
With the guided groups, some people start to develop the false assumption that anyone can climb Everest. As the movie demonstrates, nothing could be further from the truth. It is true that Everest is an uncompromising mountain that doesn't care how experienced you are, but it is also true that getting yourself into the best physical condition of your life certainly can't hurt. In the film, moviegoers can also see the kind of mental toughness that this mountain demands. At some point, a few of the climbers are in danger of losing their mental faculties more than their physical abilities. If audiences learn anything from this film, it's that Mother Nature is capable of dealing some devastating blows. And that we must prepare for them if we're going to traverse her most challenging terrain.
Watching Everest reminds us all that we are human, and that common sense and safety can be scarce when we're standing on top of the world. But there's a beautiful view up there.
Denise Blair
June 25th, 2019
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