EVEREST NORTH WALL - Join the American China-Everest 1982 Expedition as 16 men and one woman attempt an unclimbed north face route. Members include Marty Hoey, Dave Mahre, Jim Wickwire and leader Lou Whittaker. Hoey, who had hoped to become the first American woman to stand on top of Mt. Everst, falls to her death in a freak accident, just 1500 feet from the summit. With originall music composed by Alan Hovhaness, the film captures the exhilaration and the dangers of living life on the edge. EVEREST NORTH WALL is an engrossing stroy that embraces the human spirit. EMMY AWARD WINNING DOCUMENTARY Running Time: 57 minutes "NORTH WALL captures climb's triumph, tragedy" Journal-American "...more than just another climbing film. It is an adventure, a celebration of living life to the fullest." Seattle Times |
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11 of 12 found the following review helpful:
 Excellent!Dec 02, 2000
By snowleopard
In 1982 Lou Whittaker led a team of Americans as one of the first teams to attempt Mt. Everest from the North after China started to open up Tibet to Westerners. The team composed of a who's who of American climbing at the time: Jim Wickwire, Phil Ershler, Eric Simonson, Larry Neilson, Geo Dunn, and Marty Hoey, who was attempting to become the first American woman to summit. But there was a secondary goal to their attempt: In 1991 teammate Chris Kerrebrock died in a training climb on Denali, and while dying asked Jim Wickwire that he, or one of the team members take his trumpet mouthpiece to the summit of Everest. This film is the story of that team. There is so much drama presented here. In the team's attempt on the peak with no Sherpa support. On the hostile weather and unexplored terrain. On the attempt to get Kerrebrock's mouthpiece to the summit. And on the ardous, and tragic events of the climb itself. Plus biographical vignettes of team members Wickwire, Frank Wells, Dave Maher, and including a nice section on the beautiful Hoey. Perfectly shot by Steve Marts (Fairweather, Winds of Everest) and scored by Alan Hovannes, with narration by Robert Redford. In the day of fast paced MTV style television, and commercialized guided trips up Everest, this film, Everest: North Wall, may seem a bit dated, but it is of historical importance, and plays like a beautiful tribute to climbing from a day gone by as well. Perfectly made, with a dramatic, compelling narrative. A sequel of sorts can be seen in Winds of Everest. Available on Amazon.com as well.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
The Dream of EverestSep 27, 2003
By Reginald E. Deal
"genedeal1300@msn.com"
I own this movie and I watch it at least once a week. It merely hints at the hard labor of planning an expedition and getting a team in-country to begin the climb, The amount of work is only hinted at but easily seen by one who has participated. To me the film was incredibly revealing. When Marty was participating in a small group photograph, I got the sense that she had been distracted while dressing and had failed to loop over the tail of her belt. That becomes obvious as she is posing for the photograph and her belt buckle, with both sides fully exposed are there to see and the free-tail is lifting in the breeze. As Marty proceeded uphill as she started to climb; she met the camera in a full frontal shot just before the incident, her buckle is again exposed with the full two-sided buckle clearly visible and no reverse loop with the tail of the belt and it is completely clear that it was not looped back and therefore not ready to be fully weighted. I mentioned to friends that would have to be corrected or she could be hurt. The tragedy struck and she was killed. I felt for every team member who had lost not only a friend but am actual extension of the team itself. Without faulting anyone, I think we all need to consider priorities first and getting fully and properly dressed is essential. I think we all need to check each other because a second set of eyes are invaluable in identifying something that has been overlooked. This film teaches a lot in a very short time and it reveals a fraction of the planning and execution that goes into making an expedition work. I plan to use this film as a teaching resource in the future. I love the film and it will always be treasured by me. Gene
5 of 6 found the following review helpful:
 Very goodMar 08, 2002
By Daffydd
I purchased a few Everest videos all togther. The recommendations led me to try this one. And I wasn't misled, but... I was a little dismayed when the video was half over and they were just getting to Everest. The video is about who and why people climb Everest, and what it takes to prepare (ie equipment and strategy) and how hard and dangerous it is even for experienced climbers. It is worth watching but its not a whole hour of trying to get up the mountain.
 Great viewing!Mar 17, 2009
By David Macphee
"long john splionkie"
I only really purchased this because I'd grown up in Yakima, Wa. when Dave Mahre was operating White Pass ski resort and his sons were winning medals in the olympics.
I knew of the failed everest climb and was intrested.
If you enjoy this kind of thing, get this dvd. It's good quality and interesting to watch.
Dave and Mary Mahre-RIP.
3 of 6 found the following review helpful:
She was my cousin and an awsome woman!Dec 16, 2001
By Terri Crow
With regards to Marty: I saw this video just after it was released. It was difficult to watch, but gave me an insight to my second cousin's death and helped me deal with it. I spent time with her as a child and she was more than loving and giving. I have since then shown it to my friends and my children. All who have seen it, thought it was well done and informative.
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based on 5 reviews
