In 1971, American Norman Dyhrenfurth led an expedition of 30 climbers from 13 different countries, including Don Whillans, Dougal Haston, Naomi Uemura, Pierre Mazeaud, Michel Vaucher, and others. This expedition aimed to simultaneously climb the southwest face and the direct west ridge. During the ascent, Indian climber Harsh Vardhan Bahuguna perished at Camp 3 in a storm. The expedition, already suffering from organizational problems, was severely tested after his death. The Americans decided, unilaterally, to abandon the west ridge. The Europeans, who had spent days equipping the route, were left out and felt relegated to the roles of route setters and porters. Frenchman Pierre Mazeaud, Swiss climbers Michel and Yvette Vaucher, and Italian Carlo Mauri then left the expedition. The Americans continued their ascent of the southwest face up to 8,350 meters before giving up.

Norman Dyhrenfurth
as Self

Michel Vaucher
as Self

Yvette Vaucher
as Self

Pierre Mazeaud
as Self

Carlo Mauri
as Self

Don Whillans
as Self

Harsh Vardhan Bahuguna
as Self

Paul Scofield
as Narrator

Wolfgang Axt
as Self

Odd Eliassen
as Self