What are your thoughts on this remarkable story of life, death and survival?
Dear FRONTLINE,
There is nothing on Everest worth dying for. PERIOD.
If one needs a meaningful personal journey that uncovers your true self, requires courage, stamina and mental toughness...then serve in the military...or serve in the Peace Corps...on go on a religious mission...or...!!!
Really people. Let's all get a grip.
I love mountains, and I live next to some Blue Ridge beauties. But in the end, they are just really tall piles of earth.
Elizabethton, TN
Dear FRONTLINE,
Tremendous program. I have read all the books about this tragic incident. Went to Austin, TX and heard Beck give his original talk to a group of doctors. Later ordered his video and have watched it numerous times. He summed it tonight on the program when he said, "Character is what you do when no one is watching." What character all those folks had both those that survived and those that died. My love goes out to the loved ones of all those that died. How powerful that must have been for Jan to talk to her husband for the last time as he lay dying on the mountain. And the fact that Beck's wife thought he died and then found out later he was alive. All the work that she did trying to get Beck off the mountain behind the scene was incredible. I'm 56 and have climbed Mt. Ranier but could never imagine the "hell" that all of these climbers experienced on Everest. Thanks PBS and David for all you did in producing this program. I look forward to reading and watching more about this. Thanks again for an excellent job.
Willis Frazer
Clarksdale, MS
Dear FRONTLINE,
The plight of these teams on Everest is one the most endearing stories of human perserverance ever told! God bless all of them.
PAUL KOONTZ
NORTH BELLMORE, NEW YORK
Dear FRONTLINE,
This story explains why people do amazing things. Everyone of these people that came down the mountain are not the ones who went up and we are better for hearing their stories. What a portrait of character and seeing this great production provides even more clarity to Jon Karkauer's book "Into Thin Air." Thanks to all of you for sharing your stories and thanks Beck Weathers for being so brutally honest and helping us see the beauty within. Beck's will to live has changed my perspective.
Jim Newman
Springfield, MO
Dear FRONTLINE,
I'm curious why there was no interview with Jon Krakauer in the film. Was that his decision or was that David Brashears?
Rodger Sellers
Charlotte, NC
FRONTLINE's editors respond:
This and many other questions about the film are answered here.
Dear FRONTLINE,
What courage. What desparation. Why? What drives people to conquer this special mountain? My prayers goes out to those who passed and to those who survived.
Paulette Lanthier
Montpellier, Quebec Canada
Dear FRONTLINE,
I firmly believe in a persons right to do as they wish, but if someone decides to spend thousands of dollars in order to climb a hill, and they end up getting into trouble or even dying in that persuit, I really don't care. It was their decision and they knew the risks, and if any have small children that are dependent on them for their livelihood, then that is just the ultimate in selfishness.
Clint Iker
Dayton, Ohio