Kent Harvey near the summit of "Feather Duster. 

© 1999 Michael brown

On October 5th, 1999 an avalanche on Mount Shishapangma took the lives of Filmmaker David Bridges and Climber Alex Lowe. This tragedy has effected many people in the mountaineering community and beyond. These two men will be missed by all who knew them.

For those of us who were on the expedition and friends with David and Alex this tragic event has changed the color of every aspect of our lives and will forever.

Mount Shishapangma in Tibet

26,260ft

Photo by Kristoffer Erickson 1999

The expedition to Shishapangma was a film project as part of the North Face Expeditions television series on NBC Sports. We were working for American Adventure Productions.

Andrew McLean and Mark Holbrook organized the trip. 

Alex Lowe and Conrad Anker were along as the high profile North Face athletes as well as being friends with Andrew and Mark. 

Hans Sari is an extreme skier who spends a lot of time with the others as well. 

Another friend Kristoffer Erickson was along as the expedition still photographer. 

Dave Bridges, Kent Harvey and Michael Brown were the film crew. 

The MountainZone also covered the trip and the team sent daily dispatches through a satellite phone.

MountainZone

On the trek to BC

Alex's Story of Andrew getting Pulmonary Edema

Winner of the "Best Film on Mountain Sports" in the 2000 Banff Mountain Film Festival.

Photo by Kristoffer Erickson 1999

Base Camp was at 17,250ft about six miles from the base of Shishapangma. The team designated one two meter dome tent the "Club House." The Club House was complete with satellite communications, centerfold pinups, many bottles of scotch, film equipment, chess and cards, and anything else nine guys might want in Base Camp.

Of particular interest to our Chinese Liaison Officer and Tibetan and Sherpa crew was the October issue of Penthouse Magazine. They had never seen anything like it and we had to demand its return after the Liaison Officer had it in his tent for two days.

Our memories of our time in base camp before the accident are like childhood memories. Everything was so good.

Film Crew Dispatch

Photo by Michael Brown

Dave was a strong climber and had brilliant potential as a cameraman. A couple days before the accident we sat down in the Clubhouse to review tapes. I expected to critique his work and point out problems. Instead I was blown away. His footage was great, better than great it was inspiring.  

Michael's post trip dispatch.

A touching and inspiring card from Dave's Family. On the back it reads:

Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there, I do not sleep

I am a thousand winds that blow

I am the diamond glint on snow

I am the sunlight on ripened grain

I am the gentle autumn rain

When you wake in the morning hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

of quiet birds in circling flight

I am the soft starlight at night

do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there, I do not sleep

Photo by Michael Brown

Usually the first one awake Alex made espresso and lattes for everyone. He even managed to get our staff of Tibetans, Sherpas and Nepalis drinking coffee. 

Alex's Espresso Follies

Alex Lowe Charitable Foundation  

Kris Erickson applying skins to his skis before climbing the "Ice Tooth."

The peak is part of the Lang Tang Himal and the border of Nepal and Tibet.

Kent and Michael climbed an opposing peak while the rest of the team climbed and skied the "Ice Tooth." 

When shooting 16mm each roll of 400ft gives about 11minutes of screen time. This is actually quite a lot. With film we select shots carefully and only get the good stuff.

High Altitude Video Monkey

"Brown Nosing"