K-2, THE SAVAGE MOUNTAIN

The story of the assault on K-2 of the Karakoram Range, now the highest unclimbed mountain in the world, emphasizes the spiritual gains of a closeknit expeditionary group in the face of tragedy that took a man's life and denied ascent to the summit. The story of the mountain and preparations for the climb from Kashmir lead to the ascent itself, clearly indicated for all mountaineers to make note. Caught in Camp VIII in storm, the climbers made a terrible forced descent, attempting to bring Art Gilkey, stricken with thrombophlebitis, 9000 feet to Base Camp. A harrowing accident, Gilkey's disappearance and death, and the wounds of the campaigners add up to drama as the descent is recorded. Appendices for the mountaineers include a chronology, discussion of equipment, food, medical problems, finances and transport. The audience is known.