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Storyville: K2: The Killer Summit

Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

K2: The Killer Summit

05/02/2014

BBC Four - Storyville, K2: The Killer Summit

Documentary looking at how 11 climbers were killed during a descent of K2 in August 2008.

A Storyville documentary: the deadliest day in mountaineering history, when 11 climbers were killed during a descent of K2, the world's second highest mountain, in August 2008.

In August 2008, 25 climbers from several international expeditions converged on high camp of K2, the final stop before the summit of the most dangerous mountain on earth. Just 48 hours later, 11 had been killed or simply vanished, making it the deadliest day in mountaineering history.

In a century of assaults on K2, only about 300 people have ever seen the view from the planet's second highest peak. More than a quarter of those who made it didn't live long enough to share the glory. 

At the heart of this documentary lies a mystery about one extraordinary Irishman, Ger McDonnell. At the very limit of his physical resources, he faced a heartbreaking dilemma. Through recreations, archive and home movie footage, and interviews with survivors and families, the film creates a forensic, vivid version of events that is emotive, engrossing and, at times, deeply shocking.

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