BBC World Service Online

The Why Factor

Documentaries

Factual

The extraordinary and hidden histories behind everyday objects and actions

The Why Factor: Mountains

Why-Factor-Mountains.jpg

09/08/2013

Mountains

BBC World Service - The Why Factor, Mountains

What draws people to mountains and take risks scaling dangerous peaks?

For the last few hundred years, humans have tried to scale ever more dangerous peaks. But why do they do it? Mike Williams travels to the Alps to find out. He speaks to skilled climbers including the son of American mountaineer John Harlin II, who died trying to scale the north face of the savage Eiger in Switzerland. 

Why do they take such risks and what do they get out of it?

(Image: North Face of the Eiger Mountain in the Swiss Alps. BBC Copyright)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Why Factor

Mountains

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Online

About BBC World Service