Extreme Podcast: Peak Danger Season 2, Episode 4 - "Summit Fever"

Release Date: February 10, 2025

Introduction to the K2 Disaster

In Season 2 of the BBC's Extreme podcast, titled "Peak Danger", Episode 4, "Summit Fever", host Natalia Mehlman Petrzela delves into the harrowing events of August 2008 on K2—the world's second-highest and notoriously unforgiving mountain. This episode unpacks the catastrophic avalanche that claimed the lives of 11 climbers out of a group of approximately 30, exploring the human spirit's drive to conquer nature's most formidable challenges and the dire consequences that often follow.

Key Characters and Their Journeys

1. Jehan Baig: The Defiant Porter

   Jehan Baig, hailing from Shimshal in northern Pakistan, begins his climbing career not out of passion but necessity. Initially working as a high-altitude porter, Jehan's expertise is notable in a field typically reserved for seasoned climbers. His pivotal moment arrives earlier in the summer when he refuses to carry equipment through an obvious avalanche zone, an act of defiance that leads to his dismissal from the expedition. However, his friend Shaheen Beg secures him a position with a French climbing team on K2.

   • “Jesus Christ.” [03:32] – Jehan’s uncontrolled descent captures his disoriented state after spending extended hours in K2’s death zone.

2. Cecilie Skog and Rolf Bae: The Adventurous Newlyweds

   Newlyweds Cecilie Skog and Rolf Bae embark on their honeymoon with an extraordinary challenge: climbing K2 together. Their relationship and shared passion for mountaineering set the stage for their ultimate test on the mountain.

3. Pasang Lama and Mr. Kim: The Sherpas

   • Pasang Lama: Originating from Hongang near the Tibet border, Pasang transitioned from a poverty-stricken village to Kathmandu during Nepal's Maoist uprising. As a member of the Bote community—considered a lower caste—Pasang leverages his climbing skills to support his family, viewing mountaineering as a means of survival rather than passion.

   • Mr. Kim: Leading the Korean climbing team, Mr. Kim shares a background of similar hardships but differs from Pasang in that he climbed for passion and community support. He respects Sherpas and values their crucial role in expeditions.

   • “Pasang is from a village called Hongang, which is near the border of Tibet. It's a tiny place tucked far away in the mountains, without a lot of economic opportunities.” [07:11]

The Avalanche and Initial Tragedy

On August 1, 2008, the climbers face a devastating avalanche that scatters expedition members across K2’s steep slopes. This disaster sets off a chain reaction of life-and-death rescue missions. Jehan Baig becomes a central figure when he attempts to recover the body of Serbian climber Dren Mandic, only to lose control and plummet down the mountain himself.

• “We were pleading release the rope, release the rope. But Jehan seems out of sorts.” [03:15]

Rescue Attempts and Jehan's Fall

Jehan's struggle is vividly captured as he slides uncontrollably, dragging fellow climber Frederik Strang with him. Dr. Eric Meyer, witnessing the tragedy, describes the helplessness felt as Jehan disappears into the void.

• “He slid probably 20ft past me and there was absolutely nothing I could do. Jahan continues to slide down K2, unable to stop himself. He just flew out into the void.” [04:00]

The team faces the heartbreaking decision to abandon the recovery effort, honoring their fallen comrades while grappling with their limited time and resources.

The Climbing Teams' Struggles and Summit Fever

As the climbers assemble near the bottleneck—a critical and perilous passage point—they confront "summit fever", the compulsion to reach the summit despite mounting dangers. Natalia explores how this psychological phenomenon drives climbers to override safety instincts, often leading to fatal outcomes.

• “The closer you get to the summit, the harder it is to turn around.” [14:49]

Cecilie and her husband Rolf grapple with this pressure. While most climbers press on, Cecilia feels compelled to continue, but Rolf recognizes his limits and opts to halt his ascent, prioritizing safety over ambition.

• “I really want to go up there. I feel strong. I'm so curious how it looks like a little bit higher.” [18:45]

The Summit Achievement and Aftermath

Despite the chaos below, several climbers reach the summit. Lars Nessa and Cecilia Skog celebrate their success at 28,251 feet, capturing the moment with joy and relief.

• “It's amazing to reach the summit... I can see the summit of the mountain I'm standing on as a big shadow towards China.” [21:38]

Mr. Kim and Go Mi Young, members of the Korean team, also achieve their summit goals, reinforcing the episode’s exploration of what drives individuals to scale these lethal heights.

Reflections on Women in Mountaineering

Natalia interjects a poignant segment on the challenges faced by female climbers, highlighting figures like Wanda Rutkiewicz and Alison Hargreaves—pioneering women whose achievements were often met with skepticism and sexism.

• “They were essentially punished for daring to carve out their own tiny spaces amongst these huge mountains, for not behaving the way women should behave.” [26:21]

Cecilie Skog and Go Mi Young's successful summit serve as a testament to the evolving landscape of mountaineering, breaking the traditional "boys' club" mold.

Conclusion and Lessons Learned

"Summit Fever" culminates in a reflection on the delicate balance between ambition and caution. The episode underscores the immense physical and psychological demands of high-altitude climbing, the crucial role of teamwork, and the thin line between triumph and tragedy. It poses profound questions about human limits, the cost of pushing beyond them, and the eternal allure of conquering the seemingly impossible.

• “Is it ever worth risking death… in order to feel alive?” [Podcast Description]

Notable Quotes with Attribution

• Jehan Baig: “He just started sliding.” [03:03]
• Dr. Eric Meyer: “There was absolutely nothing I could do.” [04:00]
• Pasang Lama: “Our community is very poor community, you know, very remote area.” [07:20]
• Cecilia Skog: “What does it really take to push yourself to the brink of human possibility?” [Podcast Description]
• Mr. Kim: “There are no rules in mountaineering. No one has the authority to judge.” [17:30]

Final Thoughts

Natalia Mehlman Petrzela masterfully navigates the intricate web of human emotion, survival instincts, and the undying quest for achievement that defines extreme mountaineering. Through vivid storytelling and compelling interviews, "Summit Fever" not only recounts a tragic event but also invites listeners to ponder the profound motivations behind humanity's quest to reach the highest peaks.