The First Traverse of Everest

The First Traverse of Everest

2026
20m
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Overview

In 1963, Willi Unsoeld and Tom Hornbein set out to make the first ascent of Everest’s West Ridge. High on the mountain, turning back became more dangerous than going on. They kept climbing, with no guarantee of reaching the top, let alone getting down by the South Col route. They did both, becoming the first people to traverse an 8,000-meter peak. They tell the story themselves: Unsoeld in what turned out to be his last Everest lecture (1979) and Hornbein in a talk 24 years later. The archival photographs come primarily from Unsoeld’s own lecture slides, from Hornbein’s book, Everest: The West Ridge, from the American Alpine Club, and from the Barry Bishop Photo Collection.

Status: Released

Language: EN

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Production Information

Production Companies
The Mountaineers
Production Countries
United States of America

Quick Facts

Release Date October 26, 2026
Status Released
Language EN
Website Visit Site

Cast

Willi Unsoeld
Willi Unsoeld

Self (archive footage)

Tom Hornbein
Tom Hornbein

Self (archive footage)

Michael Lewis
Michael Lewis

Narrator

Key Crew

Roger Mellem
Director
Graham Zimmerman
Executive Producer
Eric Christian Olsen
Executive Producer