1 00:00:36,120 --> 00:00:42,720 The first ski descent of K2 would be a monumental event. 2 00:00:45,560 --> 00:00:47,720 No one has yet proven that it's possible, 3 00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:50,640 that it could be done without dying. 4 00:00:53,520 --> 00:00:56,920 To do it without using any supplemental oxygen 5 00:00:57,080 --> 00:01:00,200 seems pretty unachievable. 6 00:01:08,800 --> 00:01:11,120 Andrzej, do you copy? 7 00:01:13,960 --> 00:01:15,800 - What's up? - Where are you? 8 00:01:16,760 --> 00:01:18,520 Approaching Camp 4. Zero visibility. 9 00:01:22,480 --> 00:01:24,560 I can't ski in these conditions. 10 00:01:27,280 --> 00:01:29,440 You need to get the f**k out of there, 11 00:01:29,600 --> 00:01:31,200 a cold front is coming, it'll be a massacre. 12 00:01:34,600 --> 00:01:38,480 Andrzej, you need to make a decision. 13 00:01:40,680 --> 00:01:41,720 I'm going down. 14 00:02:16,560 --> 00:02:19,080 There is something about K2 15 00:02:19,480 --> 00:02:22,280 that makes your heart kind of skip a beat. 16 00:02:26,800 --> 00:02:28,760 I think about it all the time. It's this beautiful, 17 00:02:28,920 --> 00:02:31,600 incredible mountain that just draws you in. 18 00:02:40,560 --> 00:02:44,360 Even for real, core, authentic climbers 19 00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:47,720 this is the dream mountain, the hardest one. 20 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:56,360 K2 is an incredibly... 21 00:02:57,480 --> 00:02:58,560 scary mountain. 22 00:03:00,480 --> 00:03:04,440 There have been so many accidents, so many fatalities. 23 00:03:05,960 --> 00:03:09,880 One in four people that have climbed K2 don't come back. 24 00:03:17,040 --> 00:03:20,760 I've been a professional climber and skier for decades now, 25 00:03:20,920 --> 00:03:24,200 but I had never been to K2 until last year 26 00:03:24,360 --> 00:03:27,800 and there is no reason I would ever go there again. 27 00:03:28,840 --> 00:03:30,640 Andrzej definitely came out of nowhere. 28 00:03:30,800 --> 00:03:32,560 I just remember hearing his name 29 00:03:32,720 --> 00:03:35,360 and I've been in this sport for twenty years 30 00:03:35,520 --> 00:03:36,680 and I've never heard of Andrzej. 31 00:03:40,080 --> 00:03:42,560 When I heard that Andrzej was headed to K2, 32 00:03:42,720 --> 00:03:44,880 I didn't know much about him 33 00:03:45,760 --> 00:03:47,920 and I was curious. 34 00:03:58,360 --> 00:04:02,400 During these expeditions you meet many climbers. 35 00:04:03,040 --> 00:04:08,840 Over the years, accidents occur. 36 00:04:09,080 --> 00:04:12,800 Sometimes to 37 00:04:12,960 --> 00:04:16,640 remarkable athletes. 38 00:04:21,520 --> 00:04:24,840 I followed his progress in 2010. 39 00:04:25,080 --> 00:04:28,640 I was with him 40 00:04:29,280 --> 00:04:32,440 when he attempted a K2 ski descent. 41 00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:35,520 It was incredible for me that he was skiing up there. 42 00:04:38,520 --> 00:04:40,960 There were just two people. It was foggy. 43 00:04:41,680 --> 00:04:46,960 Nobody really knows what happened. There were only assumptions. 44 00:04:47,120 --> 00:04:50,960 We think he fell off with a piece of rock 45 00:04:51,280 --> 00:04:54,840 while placing his piton. 46 00:04:57,640 --> 00:05:01,440 Fredrick Ericsson was one of the best extreme skiers 47 00:05:01,600 --> 00:05:03,600 and also a great climber. 48 00:05:05,480 --> 00:05:09,040 It's a reminder of the dangers you face 49 00:05:09,200 --> 00:05:13,120 when climbing the walls of K2. 50 00:05:14,120 --> 00:05:17,120 It makes you question 51 00:05:17,520 --> 00:05:20,920 what you are doing. 52 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:31,480 Expedition log, July 6th. 53 00:05:31,640 --> 00:05:34,920 Before climbing K2, my priority is to acclimatize. 54 00:05:35,840 --> 00:05:38,440 I chose Gasherbrum II, 55 00:05:39,600 --> 00:05:41,920 an 8000 meter peak, a day's trek from K2. 56 00:05:42,800 --> 00:05:45,080 After a few days it's pretty clear. 57 00:05:45,240 --> 00:05:47,040 The weather's not going to cooperate. 58 00:05:48,120 --> 00:05:50,280 I must think of a new plan. 59 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:55,160 We couldn't go up this morning because of the weather. 60 00:05:55,320 --> 00:05:56,880 If we climbed up... 61 00:05:58,200 --> 00:06:01,280 and got snowed in, it would be sh*t. 62 00:06:01,600 --> 00:06:03,520 It's not that easy. 63 00:06:07,240 --> 00:06:11,800 A meter of snow at the base is not common. 64 00:06:11,960 --> 00:06:17,400 crevasse, crack... 65 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:27,320 One of the challenges 66 00:06:27,480 --> 00:06:31,000 of 8,000 meter peak climbing is you really can't skip steps 67 00:06:31,440 --> 00:06:35,080 and acclimatization is absolutely essential. 68 00:06:35,240 --> 00:06:37,840 If you want to do it without supplemental oxygen, 69 00:06:38,000 --> 00:06:40,080 that takes more acclimatization. 70 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:44,840 If weather or bad conditions make it impossible to acclimatize well, 71 00:06:45,000 --> 00:06:48,720 then that makes summit push much more dangerous 72 00:06:49,120 --> 00:06:50,400 and much more difficult. 73 00:06:54,920 --> 00:07:00,000 Bartek, can you help me with the packing? 74 00:07:00,160 --> 00:07:03,280 Stop filming. It's unnecessary. 75 00:07:07,240 --> 00:07:08,760 What's the definition of adventure? 76 00:07:08,920 --> 00:07:13,400 Adventure only begins when the best laid plans all go wrong. 77 00:07:22,080 --> 00:07:26,160 Walking up the Baltoro Glacier is super complicated. 78 00:07:28,160 --> 00:07:29,800 It can be intimidating. 79 00:07:29,960 --> 00:07:31,400 It can be really awe-inspiring. 80 00:07:31,560 --> 00:07:34,280 You're walking on the rocks, you walk on the ice. It's hard. 81 00:07:38,960 --> 00:07:42,640 There's what I would call more popular 8,000 meter peaks 82 00:07:42,800 --> 00:07:46,720 that have much easier access and K2 is not one of them. 83 00:07:59,960 --> 00:08:02,640 This isn't my first K2 attempt. 84 00:08:03,920 --> 00:08:07,040 In 2017, I had an expedition here. 85 00:08:08,160 --> 00:08:12,680 A few weeks in, the weather worsened. 86 00:08:12,840 --> 00:08:14,640 I had to make a decision. 87 00:08:14,840 --> 00:08:17,240 To carry on to the summit or turn around. 88 00:08:19,680 --> 00:08:20,920 I gave up. 89 00:08:22,240 --> 00:08:25,240 The greatest lessons come from failures. 90 00:08:25,400 --> 00:08:28,160 You've clearly found some sort of limit 91 00:08:28,640 --> 00:08:30,240 to what you're trying to do, 92 00:08:30,760 --> 00:08:34,680 but it gives you an opportunity to examine that limit. 93 00:08:38,560 --> 00:08:41,640 I also did not want 94 00:08:42,240 --> 00:08:44,840 to make it a success at any price. 95 00:08:45,560 --> 00:08:47,360 All the people who come to the mountains 96 00:08:47,520 --> 00:08:49,720 they've learned to be okay with failure 97 00:08:50,120 --> 00:08:52,160 and still, to try, 98 00:08:52,320 --> 00:08:54,160 still to take steps, 99 00:08:54,320 --> 00:08:55,840 still to dream big, 100 00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:58,720 even though a lot of times it doesn't work out. 101 00:08:59,200 --> 00:09:02,360 I got a descent line from that trip. 102 00:09:03,400 --> 00:09:07,160 Based on my observations, it was possible. 103 00:09:08,240 --> 00:09:11,240 It was only a matter of time before I'd return to K2. 104 00:09:15,720 --> 00:09:18,320 To ski from the top without taking my skis off, 105 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:21,160 I had to combine several routes. 106 00:09:23,360 --> 00:09:25,400 From the top, I had to descend towards the shoulder 107 00:09:25,560 --> 00:09:28,160 to get out of the death zone as soon as possible. 108 00:09:29,960 --> 00:09:32,600 At this altitude the mind is not fully functioning 109 00:09:32,760 --> 00:09:34,520 and your body starts to shut down. 110 00:09:36,880 --> 00:09:39,200 Then I head south to ski down 111 00:09:39,360 --> 00:09:42,560 through a huge glacial bowl to join the Cesen route. 112 00:09:44,840 --> 00:09:46,440 This is a very risky place. 113 00:09:46,920 --> 00:09:49,440 Avalanches are common here. 114 00:09:51,840 --> 00:09:53,480 From there, through Camp 3, 115 00:09:53,640 --> 00:09:55,760 I reach the infamous Messner Traverse. 116 00:09:56,240 --> 00:09:57,840 A very difficult section. 117 00:09:58,680 --> 00:10:01,880 It's a narrow ridge with deep chasms on either side. 118 00:10:02,880 --> 00:10:05,000 Not many people have climbed that way, 119 00:10:05,160 --> 00:10:07,200 and nobody has skied down that way. 120 00:10:08,440 --> 00:10:10,520 This is the only route 121 00:10:10,680 --> 00:10:13,520 that will allow me to descend the Polish route, 122 00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:16,280 and on to the base of K2. 123 00:10:17,800 --> 00:10:20,880 There are many hidden cliffs and chasms waiting for me. 124 00:10:21,920 --> 00:10:24,400 A wrong turn and I fall several hundred meters. 125 00:10:33,560 --> 00:10:35,920 My team help me to plan the route. 126 00:10:37,960 --> 00:10:40,840 I choose people I know and like. 127 00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:45,120 After all, we spend time together. It's not a punishment. 128 00:10:45,880 --> 00:10:47,720 The atmosphere is crucial. 129 00:10:47,880 --> 00:10:52,840 We may not succeed, but since we are here for a month, 130 00:10:53,000 --> 00:10:56,280 it's important to have fun and make good memories. 131 00:11:01,160 --> 00:11:03,400 There's no expedition leader. 132 00:11:05,240 --> 00:11:06,600 We manage somehow. 133 00:11:07,080 --> 00:11:12,160 There's Janusz Gołąb, our safety support. 134 00:11:12,960 --> 00:11:15,480 We'll go down and rest for a day. It's not far. 135 00:11:15,640 --> 00:11:16,640 I mean, it's far, but... 136 00:11:16,800 --> 00:11:20,360 Relax, Janusz, we're tough as hell. Remember? 137 00:11:24,320 --> 00:11:27,440 Marek Ogień, the photographer. 138 00:11:28,000 --> 00:11:29,440 It's the wrong radio. 139 00:11:31,200 --> 00:11:35,320 My younger brother, the drone operator. 140 00:11:35,480 --> 00:11:37,240 You should start a fan page. 141 00:11:37,400 --> 00:11:38,400 I did. 142 00:11:39,560 --> 00:11:43,640 1500 new likes. 143 00:11:48,320 --> 00:11:50,520 The terrain is very complicated. 144 00:11:50,920 --> 00:11:53,880 You need to "read" the mountain wall. 145 00:11:54,040 --> 00:11:55,680 You need all the data. 146 00:11:55,840 --> 00:11:58,000 The drone is crucial 147 00:11:58,160 --> 00:12:00,720 to help see something 148 00:12:00,880 --> 00:12:03,840 without having to go there. 149 00:12:06,480 --> 00:12:09,800 There have been expeditions that have used drones before. 150 00:12:09,960 --> 00:12:16,080 But nobody had succeeded 151 00:12:16,240 --> 00:12:19,520 in getting a drone above an eight-thousander. 152 00:12:20,160 --> 00:12:25,360 I changed the drone's software, to remove the height restrictions 153 00:12:25,520 --> 00:12:27,440 and increased its speed. 154 00:12:31,000 --> 00:12:36,440 You want to use everything in your advantage to achieve your goal. 155 00:12:36,600 --> 00:12:39,000 There has been sort of a generational shift 156 00:12:39,160 --> 00:12:40,760 in the use of technology 157 00:12:40,920 --> 00:12:45,000 to assist in very difficult objectives in the mountains. 158 00:12:47,680 --> 00:12:52,120 I'm interested in this slope, even from a distance. 159 00:12:52,640 --> 00:12:56,280 Can you approach it from the other side? 160 00:12:57,480 --> 00:13:01,320 Right, to the bowl, and left. 161 00:13:04,200 --> 00:13:07,720 My family supports me. 162 00:13:07,880 --> 00:13:09,440 I know not everyone has this. 163 00:13:14,920 --> 00:13:18,880 Andrzej B is saving his brother's feet. 164 00:13:19,480 --> 00:13:24,400 Bartek washed all his socks and forgot to leave one pair. 165 00:13:24,560 --> 00:13:28,440 His brother came to the rescue with fluffy slippers... 166 00:13:28,600 --> 00:13:31,720 - And feet warmers. - That's right. 167 00:13:32,560 --> 00:13:36,120 Having my little brother here means everything. 168 00:13:37,280 --> 00:13:41,320 When you have ten siblings 169 00:13:41,480 --> 00:13:43,760 looking out for each other comes naturally. 170 00:13:47,040 --> 00:13:48,960 I grew up in a village called Łętownia, 171 00:13:49,120 --> 00:13:51,480 between Krakow and Zakopane. 172 00:13:54,400 --> 00:13:59,800 Everything was about the farm run by our parents. 173 00:13:59,960 --> 00:14:02,800 We supported and helped them. 174 00:14:03,800 --> 00:14:10,480 I had a big family. Everybody wanted to have something to call their own. 175 00:14:13,280 --> 00:14:19,000 My first skis were really long. 190 cm to 2 m long. 176 00:14:19,160 --> 00:14:24,640 I traded my ping pong bats and my pocket knife for them. 177 00:14:25,840 --> 00:14:28,200 I remember cutting them in half just to make them useable. 178 00:14:29,920 --> 00:14:33,120 It was the deal of a lifetime now that you look at it. 179 00:14:34,280 --> 00:14:37,320 Grzegorz showed me the Tatra Mountains 180 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:39,440 and the things that you could do there. 181 00:14:42,040 --> 00:14:44,680 Naturally, it rubbed off on Andrzej. 182 00:14:45,120 --> 00:14:48,920 I didn't really teach him specifics, 183 00:14:49,080 --> 00:14:51,960 he just showed up and did what I did. 184 00:14:52,120 --> 00:14:56,080 He got so into it that he just ran with it. 185 00:15:00,720 --> 00:15:03,120 A difficult moment came for me 186 00:15:03,280 --> 00:15:05,680 and even more so for Andrzej. 187 00:15:05,840 --> 00:15:08,200 At 15, I moved out 188 00:15:08,360 --> 00:15:10,480 and tried to make it on my own. 189 00:15:10,640 --> 00:15:14,320 I apologized to him and told him he'd have to manage 190 00:15:20,880 --> 00:15:25,280 I can see now that this motivated him even further. 191 00:15:28,480 --> 00:15:32,600 Whenever he visited I was out and about. 192 00:15:32,760 --> 00:15:34,920 I gave him the equipment I used in competitions. 193 00:15:35,080 --> 00:15:38,600 He would ski-tour all day. 194 00:15:41,920 --> 00:15:45,000 There were many of us in our house, 195 00:15:45,160 --> 00:15:49,960 so training provided a personal space 196 00:15:50,120 --> 00:15:52,920 where I could go to find peace of mind. 197 00:15:53,440 --> 00:15:57,080 I liked it so much, the next time I ski toured, it was in a competition. 198 00:15:58,000 --> 00:16:00,200 This sport was for me. 199 00:16:00,360 --> 00:16:02,000 So I trained every day in the village. 200 00:16:17,120 --> 00:16:18,520 July 9th. 201 00:16:19,800 --> 00:16:23,080 Meter by meter we're exploring the slopes of K2. 202 00:16:24,760 --> 00:16:27,600 We had to mark a descent line from the top. 203 00:16:32,280 --> 00:16:38,160 When we reached K2 we planned to take the Basque route 204 00:16:38,320 --> 00:16:40,720 until it intersects the Abruzzi route 205 00:16:40,880 --> 00:16:43,640 at the shoulder of K2 at 7800 meters. 206 00:16:43,800 --> 00:16:47,360 The descent line was different. 207 00:16:48,800 --> 00:16:53,080 There aren't real experts to instruct you, 208 00:16:53,240 --> 00:16:56,840 to tell you what's possible and what's impossible. 209 00:16:57,000 --> 00:16:58,160 This is not how it works. 210 00:16:58,480 --> 00:17:00,560 You learn these things by yourself. 211 00:17:10,920 --> 00:17:16,160 A chef from a neighboring expedition came to our base. 212 00:17:17,360 --> 00:17:21,080 He said he saw a person through binoculars. 213 00:17:22,600 --> 00:17:27,520 It turned out to be a climber in a place he definitely shouldn't be. 214 00:17:28,360 --> 00:17:32,160 The climber was extremely exhausted, 215 00:17:32,320 --> 00:17:35,680 hanging on to his ice axes above a two kilometer crevasse. 216 00:17:35,840 --> 00:17:42,320 There are no rescue services here. You need to help each other. 217 00:17:44,560 --> 00:17:46,640 Bartek flew there with a drone. 218 00:17:50,640 --> 00:17:54,400 I didn't expect the drone to be so helpful. 219 00:17:54,560 --> 00:17:56,720 I tweaked the engine speed parameters. 220 00:17:56,880 --> 00:18:02,200 The air is thinner there so the engine has to work harder. 221 00:18:04,280 --> 00:18:08,640 The vertical wall, on the left there is a range covered with snow. 222 00:18:08,800 --> 00:18:10,760 It's completely obvious. 223 00:18:10,920 --> 00:18:16,080 If someone calls for help, we set our goal aside. 224 00:18:16,960 --> 00:18:21,440 It turned out that one of the three climbers had got lost. 225 00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:33,200 Can you see him? 226 00:18:34,760 --> 00:18:35,760 Yes. 227 00:18:37,600 --> 00:18:41,880 We came up with an idea. To use the drone to guide him. 228 00:18:43,280 --> 00:18:45,720 Bartek took a clever approach 229 00:18:45,880 --> 00:18:49,480 and flew the drone about four meters back and forth. 230 00:18:50,840 --> 00:18:54,080 As soon as the man moved, he flew a bit further. 231 00:18:54,240 --> 00:18:58,120 As a result, the climber started following it. 232 00:19:00,120 --> 00:19:03,440 He realized that someone can see him. 233 00:19:03,600 --> 00:19:07,400 He was in a very poor state, extremely tired. 234 00:19:08,560 --> 00:19:13,360 But he got himself out of there in a few hours. 235 00:19:14,600 --> 00:19:18,360 It was ground-breaking, Bartek did an amazing job. 236 00:19:20,640 --> 00:19:23,960 I have a large family that helps each other out. 237 00:19:24,280 --> 00:19:28,560 So we know when someone needs help. 238 00:19:28,720 --> 00:19:30,080 Unbelievable pride. 239 00:19:30,240 --> 00:19:32,680 I was proud of my brothers for helping. 240 00:19:32,840 --> 00:19:36,240 They proved a sense of maturity towards the mountains. 241 00:19:36,560 --> 00:19:41,800 They know that nothing comes before a life. 242 00:19:47,400 --> 00:19:51,280 I think this is maybe the next big step in mountaineering 243 00:19:51,440 --> 00:19:54,200 and some people will like it and some people will hate it. 244 00:19:54,760 --> 00:19:58,520 Drones are going to add a lot of safety and information 245 00:19:58,680 --> 00:19:59,880 to our climbing and skiing. 246 00:20:19,280 --> 00:20:23,360 The time came for Andrzej to address the Messner Traverse. 247 00:20:24,320 --> 00:20:28,000 Where the Basque route intersects the Polish line. 248 00:20:28,160 --> 00:20:31,840 For me it was the only way 249 00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:34,240 to complete a full descent. 250 00:20:34,400 --> 00:20:39,840 I didn't know if it's possible to ski down this route. 251 00:20:40,480 --> 00:20:44,640 I planned to go up the Cesen route, straight to Camp 3. 252 00:20:44,800 --> 00:20:51,480 Then, to the Polish route via the Messner Traverse. 253 00:20:51,640 --> 00:20:54,280 It was all a big unknown. 254 00:20:59,120 --> 00:21:00,880 Is Janusz there? 255 00:21:02,440 --> 00:21:03,560 Hey, Andrzej. 256 00:21:06,560 --> 00:21:09,040 I'm here. What's up? You're good? Safe and sound? 257 00:21:10,520 --> 00:21:11,960 I'm good, it's f**king cold, 258 00:21:12,120 --> 00:21:15,480 but I'm sure it's worse where you are. 259 00:21:17,080 --> 00:21:21,360 Tomorrow I want to attempt the Messner Traverse. 260 00:21:23,400 --> 00:21:27,560 Even Reinhold Messner didn't get through his own route. 261 00:21:27,720 --> 00:21:30,960 He was weary of this place. 262 00:21:32,360 --> 00:21:34,920 I knew no one had ever been there before. 263 00:21:35,080 --> 00:21:37,800 Those seracs are shiny. 264 00:21:37,960 --> 00:21:40,720 It hurts to look at them. Sometimes they break off. 265 00:21:40,880 --> 00:21:45,280 You see avalanches with ice, a lot of snow and rocks. 266 00:21:46,000 --> 00:21:48,960 We didn't know if a full descent 267 00:21:49,120 --> 00:21:51,200 on skis was even possible... 268 00:21:51,360 --> 00:21:57,280 that he could connect the traverse and Polish route 269 00:21:57,440 --> 00:21:59,680 without removing his skis. 270 00:21:59,840 --> 00:22:05,600 I'm sure all this combined made for the most difficult descent on Earth. 271 00:22:07,000 --> 00:22:09,640 I hope you're already fed and well-rested. 272 00:22:09,800 --> 00:22:11,720 Be careful, Andrzej. 273 00:22:21,120 --> 00:22:24,520 My journey in alpine skiing 274 00:22:24,680 --> 00:22:28,520 began when I was 17 years old. 275 00:22:29,000 --> 00:22:31,760 I took part in competitions. 276 00:22:33,000 --> 00:22:36,800 As a junior, he wasn't allowed on longer routes. 277 00:22:36,960 --> 00:22:39,480 But after completing the junior competition, 278 00:22:39,640 --> 00:22:42,040 he would sneak in to the senior competition, 279 00:22:42,200 --> 00:22:45,040 and sometimes beat them. 280 00:22:47,600 --> 00:22:49,480 I wanted to compete with the best. 281 00:22:51,160 --> 00:22:54,240 He is determined and when he comes up with an idea, 282 00:22:54,400 --> 00:22:58,520 he works hard and doesn't give up. 283 00:22:59,280 --> 00:23:03,120 He began representing Poland at ski touring events. 284 00:23:04,200 --> 00:23:08,440 He took part in the World Championships 285 00:23:08,600 --> 00:23:11,160 and other big ski alpine events. 286 00:23:11,320 --> 00:23:13,800 If you're going to compete, you may as well win. 287 00:23:27,760 --> 00:23:30,600 It was difficult to maintain this high level 288 00:23:30,760 --> 00:23:34,360 without financial support. 289 00:23:35,320 --> 00:23:38,160 We took photos of the French team's equipment 290 00:23:38,320 --> 00:23:42,320 and looked for people who could sew us the same suits. 291 00:23:50,080 --> 00:23:53,120 Just when the sport was about 292 00:23:53,280 --> 00:23:55,960 to be accepted into the Olympics, 293 00:23:56,120 --> 00:23:58,040 an avalanche occurred. 294 00:24:02,160 --> 00:24:06,600 Around a dozen people were buried, including me. 295 00:24:11,800 --> 00:24:15,480 The pressure is so great, it tears off your clothes. 296 00:24:15,640 --> 00:24:20,120 It's not like you can make a hole. You can't even move your finger. 297 00:24:22,400 --> 00:24:27,400 Just when I was losing consciousness, 298 00:24:28,040 --> 00:24:32,880 they quickly dug me out. 299 00:24:39,160 --> 00:24:41,480 Ultimately, I think this prevented 300 00:24:41,640 --> 00:24:45,440 the sport's inclusion at the Olympics. 301 00:24:47,720 --> 00:24:51,120 It was a turning point for me. I stopped competing. 302 00:24:51,280 --> 00:24:53,560 I didn't really know what I would do. 303 00:24:54,200 --> 00:24:57,680 If I were to commit to the mountains, I'd have to do it on my own way. 304 00:25:03,160 --> 00:25:04,560 July 12th. 305 00:25:06,440 --> 00:25:09,480 After a night spent above 7000 meters 306 00:25:09,640 --> 00:25:13,440 I prepare the most dangerous part of my route. 307 00:25:30,240 --> 00:25:33,040 Horror. It's a dangerous place. 308 00:25:33,480 --> 00:25:36,680 Above the traverse hangs a 300 meter serac. 309 00:25:36,840 --> 00:25:40,360 You never know if a huge avalanche will occur. 310 00:25:45,160 --> 00:25:49,120 It's very steep. Around 75 degrees. 311 00:25:52,240 --> 00:25:58,200 Here, the anchor points are key. 312 00:25:59,280 --> 00:26:03,640 You need enough rope to reach the second point. 313 00:26:03,800 --> 00:26:09,360 And a clear path down 314 00:26:09,520 --> 00:26:15,800 when you run out. 315 00:27:06,400 --> 00:27:09,360 When I'm afraid... it means I'm not prepared... 316 00:27:09,520 --> 00:27:15,200 I don't know what to expect... I'm not safe. 317 00:27:31,280 --> 00:27:33,560 The steeper terrain you're in, 318 00:27:33,720 --> 00:27:35,760 the harder it is to stop yourself. 319 00:27:35,920 --> 00:27:40,640 So you really have to stay on your edges and be very controlled. 320 00:27:40,800 --> 00:27:43,560 You make one mistake, you lose an edge, and you're gone. 321 00:27:53,960 --> 00:27:58,280 He went down through a narrow couloir on the left. 322 00:27:58,440 --> 00:28:01,840 He's going out of vision. 323 00:28:02,960 --> 00:28:04,800 When you're executing something for the first time 324 00:28:04,960 --> 00:28:06,760 a human has ever done it, 325 00:28:07,000 --> 00:28:11,360 that's a mental barrier that has been literally taken down. 326 00:28:23,120 --> 00:28:25,440 You move the line, you know. 327 00:28:25,600 --> 00:28:28,720 What was possible used to be here, and now it's here. 328 00:28:53,720 --> 00:28:59,680 It was the first time I believed the route made sense. 329 00:29:05,480 --> 00:29:09,040 Breakfast was waiting. I could take a shower. 330 00:29:09,200 --> 00:29:11,640 Every return to base camp is a positive one. 331 00:29:11,800 --> 00:29:13,920 it's warm, pleasant, and calm. 332 00:29:25,800 --> 00:29:27,320 July 15th. 333 00:29:29,720 --> 00:29:34,840 Before the summit push I have to acclimatize at 8000 meters. 334 00:29:37,120 --> 00:29:39,160 I'm heading up the mountain again. 335 00:29:41,320 --> 00:29:44,480 On the climb up, I'm always planning my ski down. 336 00:29:51,960 --> 00:29:57,880 I'm on the Abruzzi route. That was my idea for acclimatization. 337 00:29:58,040 --> 00:29:59,960 I set off at 5 am. 338 00:30:00,120 --> 00:30:02,760 A long descent ahead of me. 339 00:30:03,280 --> 00:30:07,480 I thought it would be better to set off early without skis 340 00:30:07,640 --> 00:30:09,440 not to risk anything. 341 00:30:09,600 --> 00:30:11,440 The Abruzzi route is well-prepared. 342 00:30:11,600 --> 00:30:17,440 I don't want to miss the best window 343 00:30:17,600 --> 00:30:19,280 for the summit push. 344 00:30:28,120 --> 00:30:29,760 In 2010 345 00:30:30,200 --> 00:30:36,240 I took part in a race up Mount Elbrus. 346 00:30:36,800 --> 00:30:40,560 There were several dozen competitors from all over the world. 347 00:30:43,240 --> 00:30:46,600 He wasn't used to such altitudes, and all of a sudden he's at 5600. 348 00:30:47,880 --> 00:30:50,240 Even though I had travelled a lot to the Alps, 349 00:30:50,400 --> 00:30:52,720 I had never been above 4500 meters. 350 00:30:56,040 --> 00:30:58,200 I managed to beat the judges 351 00:30:58,360 --> 00:31:02,040 before they even made it to the finish line. 352 00:31:02,200 --> 00:31:04,960 They thought it was impossible to get there so fast. 353 00:31:08,000 --> 00:31:10,720 Come on, come on! 354 00:31:12,880 --> 00:31:16,160 I had to repeat the run across the finish line 355 00:31:16,320 --> 00:31:19,040 in order for them to capture it on camera. 356 00:31:24,360 --> 00:31:26,040 Here's our winner. 357 00:31:27,880 --> 00:31:30,200 Drinking carbs and proteins. 358 00:31:32,680 --> 00:31:33,920 As a result, 359 00:31:34,280 --> 00:31:37,880 mountaineers wanted me... 360 00:31:39,040 --> 00:31:42,280 to join their expeditions. 361 00:31:45,280 --> 00:31:48,640 I joined national expeditions 362 00:31:48,800 --> 00:31:51,680 on two eight-thousanders, Manaslu and Lhotse, 363 00:31:52,000 --> 00:31:55,840 on the condition that I could take my skis 364 00:31:56,000 --> 00:32:01,680 to see if skiing that high was possible. 365 00:32:02,320 --> 00:32:04,920 After taking part in two expeditions 366 00:32:05,080 --> 00:32:08,200 I realized this wasn't for me, 367 00:32:08,680 --> 00:32:10,720 and that I have to do it my own way. 368 00:32:11,960 --> 00:32:16,960 Dreams can lead you to unexpected places. 369 00:32:17,120 --> 00:32:19,920 Mine led me to K2. 370 00:32:29,560 --> 00:32:32,400 July 15th, 7pm. 371 00:32:35,160 --> 00:32:37,720 The weather is perfect for a summit push 372 00:32:38,640 --> 00:32:41,400 but it can turn at any moment. 373 00:32:42,920 --> 00:32:46,000 My summit window is rapidly closing. 374 00:32:49,640 --> 00:32:51,920 I must be prepared for the final summit push. 375 00:33:00,280 --> 00:33:03,800 Just when I had successfully acclimatized 376 00:33:03,960 --> 00:33:07,200 we heard about our friend's accident. 377 00:33:07,360 --> 00:33:11,400 They wanted to mark a new route at Broad Peak. 378 00:33:13,040 --> 00:33:16,000 A member of the group was injured by a falling piece of ice. 379 00:33:16,160 --> 00:33:18,480 It cut his thigh wide open. 380 00:33:19,080 --> 00:33:20,840 We are at the scene of the accident 381 00:33:21,000 --> 00:33:22,360 so we'll now see if he can walk. 382 00:33:22,600 --> 00:33:27,280 Is he in pain, or is he in shock and feeling nothing? 383 00:33:27,920 --> 00:33:29,040 He's in a lot of pain. 384 00:33:29,200 --> 00:33:32,960 Is it just a cut, or did he injure his joint, bone? 385 00:33:33,120 --> 00:33:35,720 It's a deep cut. I can see his bone. 386 00:33:35,880 --> 00:33:37,960 Large hemorrhage? 387 00:33:38,760 --> 00:33:39,760 Yes. 388 00:33:41,440 --> 00:33:43,000 In the Karakoram 389 00:33:43,160 --> 00:33:45,640 you can't have a guarantee of a rescue 390 00:33:45,800 --> 00:33:46,840 when things go wrong. 391 00:33:47,240 --> 00:33:49,760 The good thing is, in the mountains there is still 392 00:33:49,920 --> 00:33:52,760 like a brotherhood amongst teams, 393 00:33:52,920 --> 00:33:54,520 even competitive teams. 394 00:33:55,920 --> 00:33:59,920 Let us know, we'll try to prepare something. 395 00:34:00,080 --> 00:34:05,240 We quickly organized a rescue. 396 00:34:21,120 --> 00:34:24,600 After three hours, we saw their headlights. 397 00:34:24,760 --> 00:34:28,000 We'd reached them. 398 00:34:36,480 --> 00:34:38,760 I put a pressure dressing over it, 399 00:34:38,920 --> 00:34:41,400 and I splint his leg in case it was broken. 400 00:34:51,160 --> 00:34:53,960 Does anyone have anything to secure it? 401 00:34:58,160 --> 00:35:01,840 Carrying him was the biggest problem. 402 00:35:02,000 --> 00:35:05,560 The terrain is uneven, 403 00:35:05,720 --> 00:35:09,440 everything was moving from side to side. 404 00:35:15,160 --> 00:35:17,800 We got to the base at dawn 405 00:35:17,960 --> 00:35:21,320 and the doctor took care of his leg. 406 00:35:38,880 --> 00:35:40,320 Take care of yourself. 407 00:35:45,400 --> 00:35:47,360 A real western. 408 00:35:52,760 --> 00:35:56,560 A rescue of someone else's life 409 00:35:56,720 --> 00:36:01,400 very much compromises your own personal goals, 410 00:36:01,960 --> 00:36:03,840 your timeline, your health, 411 00:36:04,000 --> 00:36:06,120 but you're called in to rescue, 412 00:36:06,280 --> 00:36:09,000 you're called in to do rescue, and you do it. 413 00:36:21,760 --> 00:36:23,440 July 17th. 414 00:36:26,000 --> 00:36:28,400 We approach the final stage of the expedition. 415 00:36:31,000 --> 00:36:33,200 In a few days we plan to make a summit bid. 416 00:36:36,840 --> 00:36:42,120 I hope nothing gets in our way. Many small things can go wrong. 417 00:36:47,560 --> 00:36:50,280 Now we just wait for the right moment. 418 00:36:59,840 --> 00:37:01,880 Five centimeters of snow in the morning, 419 00:37:02,040 --> 00:37:04,280 three in the afternoon, seventeen at night. 420 00:37:06,520 --> 00:37:08,240 How cloudy is it at 8000 meters? 421 00:37:08,400 --> 00:37:09,400 Let me see. 422 00:37:09,840 --> 00:37:13,200 Base Camp, over. What about the weather? 423 00:37:15,360 --> 00:37:19,560 It's snowing, it's windy also. 424 00:37:20,040 --> 00:37:22,520 Very strong wind and snowing. 425 00:37:24,800 --> 00:37:27,080 What people don't see from the outside... 426 00:37:28,240 --> 00:37:30,560 is the waiting, and there's so much time, 427 00:37:30,720 --> 00:37:34,080 especially on 8,000 meter peaks where you're doing nothing. 428 00:37:34,760 --> 00:37:37,200 You're sitting at base camp and you're looking at the mountain 429 00:37:37,720 --> 00:37:40,440 and calculating, 430 00:37:40,600 --> 00:37:42,400 and trying to figure out the best... 431 00:37:43,120 --> 00:37:45,800 method of attack, and sometimes that method of attack is... 432 00:37:46,760 --> 00:37:47,880 doing nothing. 433 00:38:05,160 --> 00:38:06,440 July 19th. 434 00:38:07,880 --> 00:38:12,080 With every day I wait, my chances dwindle. 435 00:38:14,200 --> 00:38:17,480 I must make a decision. It's now or never. 436 00:38:25,000 --> 00:38:29,040 I had to be focused, pack my backpack. 437 00:38:29,200 --> 00:38:31,400 It was difficult because 438 00:38:31,560 --> 00:38:35,280 I didn't know how many days I was going to spend up there. 439 00:38:35,760 --> 00:38:41,800 Sometimes even one little thing may be crucial for your safety, 440 00:38:41,960 --> 00:38:44,440 or even your life. 441 00:38:47,920 --> 00:38:50,000 Is my snowsuit up there? 442 00:38:51,320 --> 00:38:54,080 I have the thin one here. Will it be enough? 443 00:38:54,920 --> 00:38:56,640 You'll be moving, right? 444 00:39:01,120 --> 00:39:04,160 The weather forecasts aren't 100% accurate. 445 00:39:04,320 --> 00:39:06,640 They have to be assessed on a regular basis. 446 00:39:06,800 --> 00:39:09,440 I decided it was worth a go. 447 00:39:09,600 --> 00:39:13,520 If the weather worsens, I can go back. 448 00:39:13,680 --> 00:39:14,720 This is the start. 449 00:39:17,960 --> 00:39:23,080 Let the K2 summit push begin. 450 00:39:44,400 --> 00:39:47,040 There are certain codes, 451 00:39:48,000 --> 00:39:51,960 certain ethics around how you do something. 452 00:39:57,000 --> 00:40:01,160 And what I really appreciate about Andrzej's style is that, 453 00:40:01,320 --> 00:40:03,240 it's very self-reliant. 454 00:40:09,600 --> 00:40:12,120 He decided not to use oxygen 455 00:40:12,280 --> 00:40:15,160 and he's carrying his skis on his back. 456 00:40:20,800 --> 00:40:25,320 The plan was for Janusz to leave earlier, 457 00:40:25,480 --> 00:40:30,480 and to meet up at Camp 3 We'd make the summit bid together. 458 00:40:30,920 --> 00:40:33,040 We'd take the Cesen route. 459 00:40:34,520 --> 00:40:38,360 Janusz is a remarkable alpinist. 460 00:40:38,720 --> 00:40:43,360 His achievements include summiting Gasherbrum in Winter. 461 00:40:43,960 --> 00:40:46,960 Having him 462 00:40:47,120 --> 00:40:51,680 greatly improved the chances of my success. 463 00:41:10,360 --> 00:41:12,880 Something weird happened that evening 464 00:41:13,040 --> 00:41:15,000 and I had to tell Andrzej about it. 465 00:41:15,160 --> 00:41:18,480 Janusz was in trouble. 466 00:41:19,480 --> 00:41:21,720 He couldn't move. 467 00:41:23,760 --> 00:41:27,360 We contacted the doctors at Broad Peak. 468 00:41:28,720 --> 00:41:30,560 Broad Peak reporting to K2. 469 00:41:31,800 --> 00:41:35,760 Hi, Paweł. Janusz has a problem. 470 00:41:35,920 --> 00:41:40,240 We'll try to put him through, so that you can hear him. 471 00:41:40,600 --> 00:41:42,640 I can't get up. 472 00:41:42,800 --> 00:41:47,000 I wanted to go outside to pee, but I couldn't. 473 00:41:47,160 --> 00:41:48,280 I felt a sharp pain. 474 00:41:48,840 --> 00:41:52,560 My lower back really hurt. 475 00:41:52,720 --> 00:41:55,360 Andrzej had to help me lay down again. 476 00:41:58,080 --> 00:42:01,480 Where is Janusz? At which camp? 477 00:42:01,720 --> 00:42:04,440 At Camp 3, 7000 meters. 478 00:42:04,600 --> 00:42:07,920 Can Janusz go down on his own? 479 00:42:10,240 --> 00:42:12,560 That's the million dollar question. 480 00:42:12,720 --> 00:42:14,480 I can't answer that. 481 00:42:14,640 --> 00:42:18,000 If he can barely walk, he will need someone else's support. 482 00:42:18,800 --> 00:42:23,440 The pain may decrease tomorrow, but it may not. 483 00:42:23,600 --> 00:42:25,440 Time will tell. 484 00:42:27,000 --> 00:42:28,200 Okay, thanks. 485 00:42:47,440 --> 00:42:49,480 It was clear I couldn't make it to the summit. 486 00:42:50,520 --> 00:42:54,400 And we were so close. 487 00:42:58,600 --> 00:43:02,120 I'd spent a day and a half with him. 488 00:43:02,280 --> 00:43:07,080 Here is a person you are very worried about. 489 00:43:10,360 --> 00:43:12,400 It was concerning for Andrzej. 490 00:43:12,560 --> 00:43:14,480 His climbing partner couldn't move. 491 00:43:19,120 --> 00:43:25,960 We got messages of northerly low-pressure fronts headed our way. 492 00:43:26,120 --> 00:43:30,360 It was worrying. 493 00:43:30,520 --> 00:43:34,560 I thought I wouldn't be able to go down 494 00:43:34,720 --> 00:43:38,560 and would be stuck here for a week. 495 00:43:41,360 --> 00:43:46,360 The whole expedition is there for Andrzej to summit, 496 00:43:46,520 --> 00:43:50,200 and suddenly it can all turn upside down... 497 00:43:51,640 --> 00:43:54,000 because he has to help someone. 498 00:43:54,160 --> 00:43:57,120 This is impossible to foresee. 499 00:44:01,920 --> 00:44:06,480 At the base, they had medications for me. 500 00:44:06,640 --> 00:44:09,280 We came up with the idea to use a drone. 501 00:44:13,080 --> 00:44:17,600 We packed Tramal, Paracetamol and a few other things. 502 00:44:17,760 --> 00:44:21,560 The drone will fly up to 7000 meters with medicine. 503 00:44:22,400 --> 00:44:29,160 Before that, the drone was never needed to transport anything. 504 00:44:29,320 --> 00:44:35,600 I didn't know if it could fly with the added weight. 505 00:44:46,280 --> 00:44:50,760 I had to fly above the clouds in order to get to Camp 3. 506 00:44:53,240 --> 00:44:58,920 It was a very difficult flight. Poor conditions... 507 00:45:07,520 --> 00:45:08,960 But I succeeded 508 00:45:17,040 --> 00:45:21,920 To see them use a drone to deliver medicine to a high camp? 509 00:45:22,080 --> 00:45:23,080 That is... 510 00:45:23,720 --> 00:45:27,160 I mean, I'm speechless. Like, it's such a game changer. 511 00:45:32,800 --> 00:45:34,120 I never thought 512 00:45:34,280 --> 00:45:39,520 the drone would be used to save lives 513 00:45:40,320 --> 00:45:42,160 or deliver medication. 514 00:45:42,840 --> 00:45:47,840 Next time we have to send a cow to Camp 3. 515 00:46:01,320 --> 00:46:03,200 I started to feel better. 516 00:46:05,120 --> 00:46:07,560 I wanted to go to the top. 517 00:46:07,720 --> 00:46:09,920 I'd have become one a few people to make it twice. 518 00:46:10,080 --> 00:46:15,960 But I couldn't even roll on one side. I was in a lot of pain. 519 00:46:16,120 --> 00:46:18,840 Janusz has so much experience and knowledge. 520 00:46:19,000 --> 00:46:23,080 Such a person is vital. 521 00:46:23,240 --> 00:46:25,680 I felt lost. 522 00:46:29,080 --> 00:46:31,400 All of a sudden you are really alone 523 00:46:32,480 --> 00:46:33,880 and it's all on you 524 00:46:34,040 --> 00:46:36,280 to decide how you're going to proceed. 525 00:46:37,160 --> 00:46:38,520 That's scary. 526 00:46:39,800 --> 00:46:42,640 When we backed out in 2017 527 00:46:42,800 --> 00:46:46,560 and decided we were not going to make it, 528 00:46:46,720 --> 00:46:50,480 we knew something stayed with Andrzej. 529 00:46:53,080 --> 00:46:55,760 I decided to give it a try. 530 00:46:55,920 --> 00:46:59,160 I would summit alone. 531 00:47:01,800 --> 00:47:04,360 If something is wrong, go back. 532 00:47:05,160 --> 00:47:06,160 What? 533 00:47:06,320 --> 00:47:07,640 If something is wrong, go back. 534 00:47:10,680 --> 00:47:11,920 It's hard for me to imagine 535 00:47:12,080 --> 00:47:14,520 how he could have that mental strength 536 00:47:14,680 --> 00:47:15,840 and physical strength. 537 00:47:16,000 --> 00:47:17,960 He was solo 538 00:47:18,120 --> 00:47:21,520 and that demands a lot of respect. 539 00:47:34,240 --> 00:47:39,400 Solitude isn't a problem for me. 540 00:47:46,760 --> 00:47:50,520 Years of training have prepared me for it. 541 00:47:51,880 --> 00:47:57,400 I'm not scared to be alone in the mountains. 542 00:47:58,120 --> 00:48:02,960 Sport was always a solitary process for me. 543 00:48:21,800 --> 00:48:26,600 I left Camp 4 around 6 am. 544 00:48:34,080 --> 00:48:38,520 The Abruzzi route is a popular route for climbers. 545 00:48:38,680 --> 00:48:42,400 Many were shocked when I passed them 546 00:48:42,560 --> 00:48:44,440 because I showed up out of nowhere 547 00:48:44,600 --> 00:48:45,880 without an oxygen tank. 548 00:48:53,000 --> 00:48:55,120 When your brain starts to not get enough oxygen 549 00:48:55,280 --> 00:48:57,040 it starts to build pressure 550 00:48:57,200 --> 00:48:58,960 and that pressure starts to push on parts of the brain 551 00:48:59,120 --> 00:49:01,360 and makes those parts of the brain not work. 552 00:49:02,720 --> 00:49:05,560 Everyone I've ever seen at those altitudes 553 00:49:05,720 --> 00:49:08,200 without supplemental oxygen are struggling 554 00:49:08,360 --> 00:49:10,080 just to put one foot in front of the other. 555 00:49:11,720 --> 00:49:13,960 I am almost at the top. 556 00:49:17,840 --> 00:49:20,360 I don't have much strength left. 557 00:49:22,760 --> 00:49:24,440 The weather is getting bad. 558 00:49:26,720 --> 00:49:31,200 Your brain isn't aware of how slow you're moving. 559 00:49:53,600 --> 00:49:56,040 Hi, Andrzej. We can hear you at the base. 560 00:49:57,720 --> 00:49:59,200 I'm at the top. 561 00:50:11,560 --> 00:50:13,560 Great, that's awesome! 562 00:50:20,000 --> 00:50:23,080 You get to enjoy the summit but you also have to understand that 563 00:50:23,240 --> 00:50:25,560 the hardest part of your task is still ahead of you. 564 00:50:25,720 --> 00:50:26,880 You can't stay there 565 00:50:27,280 --> 00:50:29,440 for an extended period of time. You have to keep moving. 566 00:50:32,000 --> 00:50:34,160 The clouds are moving fast. 567 00:50:35,880 --> 00:50:40,560 The wind is blowing from the left. Your right, facing us. 568 00:50:44,440 --> 00:50:48,480 I was at the summit for less than half an hour I think. 569 00:50:55,800 --> 00:50:58,920 It is the death zone, your body is dying 570 00:50:59,080 --> 00:51:03,040 but your rational brain knows that 571 00:51:03,200 --> 00:51:07,480 you have this crazy athletic mental requirement 572 00:51:07,640 --> 00:51:08,680 still ahead of you. 573 00:51:14,240 --> 00:51:18,240 Now you have to perform very technical skiing. 574 00:51:22,800 --> 00:51:24,640 I've always skied with oxygen, 575 00:51:25,240 --> 00:51:28,320 to do it without is just a completely different level. 576 00:51:30,600 --> 00:51:32,880 The moment I clicked into my skis 577 00:51:33,040 --> 00:51:35,040 I realized the worst part was ahead. 578 00:51:36,680 --> 00:51:40,760 I think it's clearing up. How are you feeling? 579 00:51:41,760 --> 00:51:43,480 I want to get the f**k out of here. 580 00:51:44,840 --> 00:51:45,840 Get out of there. 581 00:51:47,920 --> 00:51:52,560 I start for the shoulder. I must escape the death zone quickly. 582 00:52:07,880 --> 00:52:11,080 All of a sudden your whole body switches. 583 00:52:11,720 --> 00:52:14,560 You're starting over from scratch, because you're not climbing any more. 584 00:52:15,880 --> 00:52:17,440 You're using different muscles, 585 00:52:17,600 --> 00:52:22,640 you're using different brain waves, different fear pathways. 586 00:52:32,400 --> 00:52:35,280 The first meters down were tough. 587 00:52:35,440 --> 00:52:36,880 The snow was very wet. 588 00:52:37,040 --> 00:52:38,680 I was scared that something would give way. 589 00:52:48,520 --> 00:52:50,360 When you're in the big mountains 590 00:52:50,520 --> 00:52:52,200 in the Himalayas and in the Karakorum, 591 00:52:52,360 --> 00:52:55,760 there is potential from massive avalanches. 592 00:52:55,920 --> 00:52:58,080 Class four, five avalanche that could take out a town. 593 00:52:58,480 --> 00:53:00,840 You just don't know what's going to happen. 594 00:53:01,000 --> 00:53:03,000 It's a very unstable environment. 595 00:53:07,240 --> 00:53:09,760 I will go to the right side, ok? 596 00:53:10,480 --> 00:53:13,440 I had to cross the climbers' route. 597 00:53:13,600 --> 00:53:17,240 I risked triggering an avalanche on them. 598 00:53:22,000 --> 00:53:23,600 It's a very delicate balance, 599 00:53:24,640 --> 00:53:30,800 which means that your capacity to assess your terrain 600 00:53:30,960 --> 00:53:35,800 and your level of situational awareness has to be a very, 601 00:53:35,960 --> 00:53:38,200 very elite level. 602 00:53:43,080 --> 00:53:45,240 You know, of course we are at very high altitudes, 603 00:53:45,400 --> 00:53:48,240 lack of oxygen makes decision making quite difficult, 604 00:53:48,400 --> 00:53:51,400 your brain feels foggy or like you were drunk 605 00:53:51,560 --> 00:53:55,080 and so this adds a lot of risk to everything you do. 606 00:54:02,880 --> 00:54:06,000 The thing about K2 is if the snow is firm 607 00:54:06,160 --> 00:54:08,280 pretty much every single place on K2, 608 00:54:08,440 --> 00:54:10,640 if you fall, you will go to the bottom. 609 00:54:10,920 --> 00:54:12,160 There is nowhere to stop. 610 00:54:15,680 --> 00:54:18,400 This means that any small mistake will be fatal 611 00:54:39,080 --> 00:54:42,800 I've now spent almost 20 hours in the death zone. 612 00:54:45,000 --> 00:54:47,120 I need to keep moving. 613 00:54:47,280 --> 00:54:50,120 The most challenging section still awaits. 614 00:54:50,520 --> 00:54:51,920 The Messner Traverse. 615 00:55:04,400 --> 00:55:08,360 I didn't know what it was, because it wasn't forecasted. 616 00:55:10,600 --> 00:55:14,280 He descended into a cloud. White out. 617 00:55:14,440 --> 00:55:16,400 And if you can imagine snow is white, 618 00:55:17,000 --> 00:55:21,320 you have white clouds, it changes everything. 619 00:55:23,120 --> 00:55:25,280 Hello, Andrzej. Report to base. 620 00:55:29,520 --> 00:55:32,760 A cold front is coming with the clouds. 621 00:55:39,240 --> 00:55:41,320 Hello, Andrzej. Report to base. 622 00:55:42,400 --> 00:55:44,040 - What's up? - Where are you? 623 00:55:45,200 --> 00:55:47,920 Approaching Camp 4. No visibility. 624 00:55:49,080 --> 00:55:50,960 I can't ski in these conditions. 625 00:55:59,280 --> 00:56:02,480 In unknown terrain you need good visibility. 626 00:56:09,280 --> 00:56:10,760 I was worried about him. 627 00:56:11,320 --> 00:56:15,360 I knew he acclimatized and was well-prepared, 628 00:56:15,720 --> 00:56:20,880 but I knew each hour up there 629 00:56:21,040 --> 00:56:24,280 would drain his energy to ski down. 630 00:56:28,880 --> 00:56:31,520 You get vertigo, so you're trying to descend, 631 00:56:31,680 --> 00:56:33,120 but you can't tell if you're moving 632 00:56:33,280 --> 00:56:34,360 or you're standing still. 633 00:56:34,520 --> 00:56:38,360 You can't tell if you're going faster, slower. 634 00:56:38,520 --> 00:56:41,240 You can't tell if the slope falls away, 635 00:56:41,400 --> 00:56:42,680 if it flattens out. 636 00:56:43,320 --> 00:56:44,800 You can't see crevasses. 637 00:56:45,360 --> 00:56:48,280 That's one of the most dangerous conditions you can have. 638 00:56:48,600 --> 00:56:50,480 How much time do I have? 639 00:56:51,040 --> 00:56:52,480 Okay, listen. 640 00:56:53,480 --> 00:56:55,800 The bottom of the shoulder looks okay, 641 00:56:55,960 --> 00:56:58,280 just the top is covered in clouds. 642 00:56:59,520 --> 00:57:01,880 He needs to get the f**k out of there. 643 00:57:02,040 --> 00:57:03,280 It'll be a massacre. 644 00:57:05,560 --> 00:57:09,040 Andrzej, make a decision. 645 00:57:09,760 --> 00:57:11,200 Holy sh*t. 646 00:57:12,080 --> 00:57:14,120 Bartek is flying up to you, just start going down. 647 00:57:15,040 --> 00:57:16,040 I'm going down. 648 00:57:29,360 --> 00:57:32,480 He put all his chips on one hand. 649 00:57:32,640 --> 00:57:36,880 He was wearing a thin snow suit, with just underwear underneath it, 650 00:57:37,040 --> 00:57:38,640 and it was -30 degrees outside. 651 00:57:46,440 --> 00:57:49,600 At last, I'd left the death zone. 652 00:57:52,320 --> 00:57:54,160 There's a lot more oxygen in the air now. 653 00:57:55,600 --> 00:57:59,200 Soon, I'll reach Janusz at Camp 3. 654 00:57:59,760 --> 00:58:01,040 Meanwhile, I must hurry. 655 00:58:01,240 --> 00:58:03,840 This glacial cirque looks very dangerous. 656 00:58:12,560 --> 00:58:15,240 In the 8000 meters ski descents, 657 00:58:15,400 --> 00:58:18,120 I think the most dangerous part is if and when 658 00:58:18,280 --> 00:58:20,760 you need to leave the climbing line 659 00:58:20,920 --> 00:58:22,240 and take the risk to go on slopes 660 00:58:22,400 --> 00:58:24,520 that you have not tested on the way up 661 00:58:24,680 --> 00:58:27,440 and no longer have an easy escape. 662 00:58:28,680 --> 00:58:32,400 Look for rocks below. You have to pass them from the right. 663 00:58:32,560 --> 00:58:35,880 I'll give directions from your perspective. your right. 664 00:58:37,720 --> 00:58:39,800 It's very, very high stakes in terms of 665 00:58:39,960 --> 00:58:42,640 just kind of your logistical planning 666 00:58:42,800 --> 00:58:44,280 and understanding of the ski descent. 667 00:58:49,760 --> 00:58:52,960 Look for rocks below. 668 00:58:53,120 --> 00:58:56,960 You have to pass them from the right. 669 00:58:57,560 --> 00:58:58,560 Below you. 670 00:59:04,680 --> 00:59:10,160 You have to have a mental map of where you're going, 671 00:59:10,320 --> 00:59:15,520 because you're literally mapping the route out for yourself, 672 00:59:15,760 --> 00:59:17,480 when you're going down. 673 00:59:18,240 --> 00:59:20,840 There are crevasses below you. 674 00:59:21,000 --> 00:59:23,360 And a serac, so you can't go there. 675 00:59:25,280 --> 00:59:29,760 It's important to have that mental map and clarity because 676 00:59:29,920 --> 00:59:32,240 that couloir that looks just like that couloir 677 00:59:32,400 --> 00:59:33,960 ends in a thousand-foot cliff. 678 00:59:35,800 --> 00:59:37,840 Andrzej, go left. Your left! 679 00:59:39,840 --> 00:59:42,520 It's simply too dangerous there. 680 00:59:42,720 --> 00:59:45,320 There are crevasses below you. 681 00:59:45,480 --> 00:59:47,600 I can see them, don't worry. 682 00:59:50,200 --> 00:59:54,680 When I was there, I knew the route by heart. 683 00:59:54,840 --> 00:59:56,880 I just needed good visibility. 684 00:59:57,040 --> 01:00:00,120 You can anticipate things, 685 01:00:00,280 --> 01:00:03,880 but the expanse is so large and unique 686 01:00:04,040 --> 01:00:07,600 that you have to evaluate the dangers yourself, 687 01:00:07,760 --> 01:00:09,640 because you feel the snow. 688 01:00:10,080 --> 01:00:11,800 This is maybe the part I love the most 689 01:00:11,960 --> 01:00:13,600 about the skiing in the high mountains 690 01:00:13,760 --> 01:00:18,080 because your focus has to be 100%. 691 01:00:18,240 --> 01:00:21,240 This level of hazard below you 692 01:00:21,400 --> 01:00:23,680 means you are here and nowhere else. 693 01:00:23,840 --> 01:00:27,880 It's just you and your skills and your decision making every turn. 694 01:00:49,040 --> 01:00:50,480 Thanks. 695 01:00:51,800 --> 01:00:56,240 I reunited with Janusz at Camp 3. 696 01:00:56,800 --> 01:00:57,960 F**k! 697 01:00:58,600 --> 01:01:00,680 I ate three gels today. 698 01:01:01,520 --> 01:01:04,080 When Andrzej arrived, I was happy he'd reached the summit. 699 01:01:04,240 --> 01:01:05,280 But also in style. 700 01:01:05,440 --> 01:01:09,080 The first Pole to reach the summit via the Basque route. 701 01:01:09,240 --> 01:01:12,400 There were only a few technical parts left 702 01:01:12,560 --> 01:01:15,160 and that horrible Messner Traverse. 703 01:01:22,400 --> 01:01:25,920 To push into that unknown space, 704 01:01:26,080 --> 01:01:28,600 having people you can rely on 705 01:01:28,760 --> 01:01:30,240 and trust is important. 706 01:01:30,960 --> 01:01:32,560 You need everything to get down. 707 01:01:36,680 --> 01:01:38,320 Before the expedition you said 708 01:01:38,480 --> 01:01:42,000 that it is the most difficult thing you'd ever do. 709 01:01:42,440 --> 01:01:43,840 You’re almost there. 710 01:01:44,000 --> 01:01:45,400 Just a little more focus and you'll be fine. 711 01:03:00,400 --> 01:03:01,400 Beautiful. 712 01:03:01,760 --> 01:03:04,120 The first Ski descent from K2. 713 01:03:04,280 --> 01:03:06,200 We can go home now. 714 01:03:06,840 --> 01:03:08,160 What an amazing day. 715 01:03:11,000 --> 01:03:13,680 This put Andrzej in to this mountain's history, 716 01:03:13,840 --> 01:03:15,200 and the history of skiing. 717 01:03:16,720 --> 01:03:20,160 He is part of this next generation 718 01:03:20,320 --> 01:03:24,720 that is going to be pushing the edge of the human potential. 719 01:03:26,920 --> 01:03:29,600 I thought it was impossible. This can't be true. 720 01:03:30,400 --> 01:03:32,920 He couldn't have done it like that and he did. 721 01:03:34,000 --> 01:03:36,000 We are starting to see the possibilities 722 01:03:36,160 --> 01:03:37,920 of what drones could do. 723 01:03:42,280 --> 01:03:43,280 Congratulations. 724 01:03:43,440 --> 01:03:46,880 - Good job. - I'm glad you’re back. 725 01:03:49,160 --> 01:03:51,480 Equipment has just made it possible 726 01:03:51,640 --> 01:03:53,120 to do what Andrzej has done. 727 01:03:53,280 --> 01:03:54,760 It's a complete game changer. 728 01:03:55,760 --> 01:03:57,000 I'm so tired. 729 01:03:57,640 --> 01:03:59,520 This was fantastic. 730 01:04:01,720 --> 01:04:02,760 High five. 731 01:04:05,720 --> 01:04:07,120 A long time ago 732 01:04:07,280 --> 01:04:11,720 I realized that dreams don't come true by themselves. 733 01:04:11,880 --> 01:04:16,120 You must realize them. 734 01:04:17,560 --> 01:04:19,920 And that’s it. It’s crucial. 735 01:04:20,400 --> 01:04:26,640 Stars don’t just fall out of the sky. 736 01:04:31,000 --> 01:04:33,680 What Andrzej achieved was truly remarkable 737 01:04:33,840 --> 01:04:35,160 and it was inspiring for me. 738 01:04:39,240 --> 01:04:41,800 My mum gave birth to eleven children. 739 01:04:42,200 --> 01:04:47,520 That challenge can’t be compared to skiing down K2. 740 01:04:51,960 --> 01:04:52,960 And next... 741 01:05:05,160 --> 01:05:08,360 To get to where we are, we've had to take risks. 742 01:05:08,800 --> 01:05:11,200 We are built with that instinct.