Part 3 of 3: At high camp the team falls apart from the physical, mental, and emotional strain of the expedition. O’Neill talks about how, in winds of 75 miles an hour and with only three days of food left, an argument erupts between the team members over who should attempt the summit and who should be left behind.
The quest to climb Hkakabo Razi in the remote area of northern Myanmar was conceived by Hilaree O’Neill and Mark Jenkins and their yearning for an “anti-Everest” expedition. In the fall of 2014, Hilaree O’Neill, the expedition leader, and Mark Jenkins, Cory Richards, Renan Ozturk, and Emily Harrington set out to climb this formidable peak and determine whether it is the highest peak in Southeast Asia by standing on top with a GPS. What followed was a demanding journey full of setbacks that would push these five climbers to their limits emotionally, physically, and mentally. Hear Hilaree O’Neill talk about this epic expedition and being taken to “the point of no return.”
Watch Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K32MfIcUFd8
Watch Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByS9ScrCXVY
For more on the expedition, watch “Explorer: Point of No Return” Sunday, May 1, on the National Geographic Channel: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/explorer/episodes/point-of-no-return/
Read the full-length article about the climb online in National Geographic magazine: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2015/09/hkakabo-razi-climb/jenkins-text
More about Hilaree O’Neill
http://www.hilareeoneill.com
Upcoming Events at National Geographic Live
http://events.nationalgeographic.com/events/
The National Geographic Live series brings thought-provoking presentations by today’s leading explorers, scientists, photographers, and performing artists right to you. Each presentation is filmed in front of a live audience at National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C. New clips air every Monday.