For the past 26 years 16 expeditions have tried and failed to climb one of Pakistan's 8,000 meter peaks in winter. On February 2, 2011, Simone Moro, Denis Urubko and Cory Richards became the first. Cory is now the only American to summit any 8,000 meter peak in winter. The journey nearly killed them. Cory carried a small camera and filmed the ordeal constantly. This is their story, as seen from the raw, honest perspective of Cory's lens.
Cinematography
Cory shot while hypothermic. Every frame is a small miracle.
Editing
19 minutes that feel like a lifetime. No fat, all frostbite.
Sound
The wind becomes a character. You'll check your windows.
Director
Anson Fogel
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Cory Richards later became a National Geographic photographer and open about his PTSD from this climb. The camera didn't capture everything.
This completed the 'Holy Grail' of mountaineering—all fourteen 8,000ers finally climbed in winter. Polish and Russian teams had sacrificed years and lives trying.
US
