Movie Review -- The Making of Everest

"We commenced plugging up in foot deep steps with a thin wind crust on top and precious little belay for the ice-axe. It was altogether most unsatisfactory and whenever I felt feelings of fear regarding it I'd say to
myself: 'Forget it! This is Everest and you've got to take a few risks.'"
— Edmund Hillary, the first person to ever reach the summit of Mount Everest.

I watched the film "The Making of Everest" this weekend. Unfortunately, I have not seen the IMAX film, EVEREST. I hear it is wonderful and it is a great way to "see" the mountain. This documentary film covers the difficulty of mountain climbing with the additional burden of the IMAX camera as well as what they call "being on location at the death zone." Imagine the difficulty of climbing Everest with the IMAX camera that weighs 42 pounds! The film yields 90 seconds of footage for 10 pounds!

The film was being done during a very difficult time. It is referred to as the deadliest single tragedy in the mountain's history. It was Scott Fisher's last climb. Many other people who were well known climbers died on the mountain during this catastrophe. The death toll totaled 8. There were two additional climbers who also got caught in severe weather and were thought to be dead. They were both rescued in an impossible mission that became possible by the amazing people who took part in it. That is what this documentary is all about. The film crew bravely took part in the rescue.

One very brave man, Nepalese Army helicopter pilot Madan K.C., made a helicopter landing and take-off no one had ever done before to get these two people off the mountain and to medical attention. He landed in very high winds and took off by plunging the helicopter over the edge and getting some lift from there. There were two people requiring emergency attention and the helicopter pilot could only take one person with him. The first climber, Beck, gave up his place to the other injured man. Both climbers were critically injured and because of their medical state and the weather conditions, they were at that place of life or death. Beck speaks tearfully on the film about his experience. He said that he never thought the helicopter would be able to return. Beck adds that during such times when we are all on the mountain working together during a difficult situation, "it is important to know that you have acted correctly." This was how he arrived at his decision.

I think Beck Weathers acted with great love and although he tells the story with tears in his eyes, I think he probably had enough detachment to see his decision clearly. I cannot see detachment as being without the passion that makes so many impossibilities attemptable. The helicopter returned for Beck making another very dangerous landing and take off successfully, saving his life.

Beck Weathers lost half his right arm, fingers and thumb on his left hand and his nose from frostbite. The details are in Jon Krakauer's book, "Into Thin Air." '

In this film, Beck Weathers is shown from the shoulders up. I could see that he either had his nose reconstructed or he had a very good prosthesis made. There was just a subtlety about the lighting that made me suspect so. They did not mention his personal losses of his fingers and part of his arm nor did they hint at this by ever showing his arm. In any case, I see a story like this one and I know I am not detached to the point that some other people are. I am not sure if it is death that I worry about so much as increasing my suffering in this life. Sometimes I wonder if it does not take as much bravery for some people to remain here in acceptance as it did to come to this world in the first place. Death does always move me to crying and I could have easily cried with Beck when he told his story. Could I be such a brave person as any one of the heroes in this story? Frankly, I am glad when I am not pushed to this edge. I suddenly felt very thankful for the privilege allowing me to sit comfortably in the living room and eat ice cream. That is about the height of my willingness to expose myself to cold.

If we decide to work on something, it will work on us right back. Isn't that the way it really is? These people went out to conquer the mountain and were faced with what might be the greatest challenge of their lives. Their performance meant their lives. We can't decide to work on patience, detachment, and love alone in our cave eating goodies. We must be out in the world where strange people kick our bumpers for what seems like no reason at all and cut us off in traffic. Sometimes there is suddenly challenging weather and we discover we have to work with the mountain. (Some climbers mentioned that they see themselves as working with the mountain rather than conquering it.) It always happens on the very day we found ourselves the most comfortable or just when we decided we are not going to swear anymore too. The pitcher likes to throw curve balls after he has lead you to believe that you know exactly how to hit the ball every time. It keeps the game interesting. I like to also believe that even the people who lost their lives won somehow.

Almost all religious and mystical traditions, East and West, ultimately see the goal of spiritual practice as some kind of vertical liftoff, out of this world into either a transcendent beyond, a heaven, or final cessation in nirvana. Sri Aurobindo had the audacity to say that this view was a mistake. A big mistake. He even had the chutzpah to say it was a mistake made by Shankara and the Buddha.

---from What is Enlightenment? The Future of God Spring/Summer 2002.

Sri Aurobindo puts God and the evolving universe together in his great vision. My view from the little spot where I am trying to see the mountain is that Nirvana and the world are very complimentary and not separate. I would not dare to think nor say that someone is wrong in their belief. It is just that my personal vibration makes me believe that if life is an illusion, there is some very real energy behind it. That is important. My experience is that it is important to be in this world and accept it just as we accept our experiences on the other side... That is why we should do our best to make it as nice as possible and do what we can for others and even go beyond what appears to be possible. Everyone has their place in the great puzzle here and we only need to make sure we do our part so that they have the opportunity to fit it and depart at the proper time in the best of circumstances.

I recommend this documentary to anyone who is looking at great challenges in life. It is a wonderful inspiration and speaks to the greatness that is possible within us and the great sacrifices we may be asked to make. The interview with Beck Weathers is wonderful and, I would say, touching.