The Summit: How Triumph Turned To Tragedy On K2's Deadliest Days

On 1 August 2008, 18 climbers from across the world reached the summit of K2, the world’s second highest and most dangerous mountain - a peak which claims the life of one in every four climbers who attempt it. Over the course of 28 hours the mountain had exacted a deadly toll: 11 lives were lost a series of catastrophic accidents. Based on the eye-witness accounts Pemba Gyalje and of the climbers who were there.

The Summit: How Triumph Turned To Tragedy On K2’s Deadliest Days offers the most comprehensive account of one of the most terrible tragedies in modern-day mountaineering as witnessed by Pemba Gyalje Sherpa.  

It tells the story of Success - Failure - Death - Summit Fever - Bravery Controversy - Selfishness - Fear - Courage - Leadership - Teamwork - Cultural Difference. 

On 1 August 2008, 18 climbers from across the world set out to reach the summit of K2, the world’s second highest and most dangerous mountain - a peak which claims the life of one in every four climbers who attempt it. Within 28 hours, K2 had exacted a deadly toll: 11 lives were lost in a series of catastrophic accidents.

The Summit is also an Award winning feature documentary produced by Image Now and Pat Falvey Productions, 2012 and directed by Nick Ryan. 

The Summit: How Triumph Turned to Tragedy on K2’s Deadliest Days is the most comprehensive account of one of modern-day mountaineering’s most controversial disasters.

Pat Falvey and Pemba Gyalje Sherpa

Pat Falvey is an Irish adventurer and mountaineer who has led expeditions to many parts of the world, including Everest, Antarctica, Greenland and West Papua New Guinea. He has twice been to each of the highest peaks on the seven continents.

An author, motivational speaker and film maker, he is the executive producer of The Summit (Image Now Films and Pat Falvey Productions, 2012) which portrays on screen the story told in this book.

Pat lives in County Kerry, near Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrauntoohil.

Pat is a professional motivational speaker who has inspired business and corporate groups around the world on the challenge of change, risk management, and following and achieving their goals. For further information www.patfalvey.com

Pemba Gyalje Sherpa was born in northern Nepal and grew up in the shadow of Mount Everest. His experience as a professional mountain guide has taken him to the Alps and Himalaya, including to the summit of Everest on seven occasions. The current president of the Nepal National Mountain Guide Association, he is also a rock climbing and winter ice instructor.

In recognition of his heroism during the K2 tragedy, he was named the National Geographic Best Adventurer of 2008. Pemba lives in Kathmandu with his wife and two children.