Mountain fact, mountain fiction
Toronto -- I am puzzled by Geoff Powter's letter (Respect For Man And Mountain - Sept. 2) concerning fact and fiction in the CBC mini-series Everest (Haute Hosers Do Everest - Review, Aug. 29). The events portrayed in the film were based on journalist/climber Bruce Patterson's book Canadians On Everest, which is a version supported by the climbers.
Mr. Powter calls the scene of a wife threatening a divorce at the airport pure fiction: Dave Reid and his wife had a bitter separation a few days before he left and later divorced. No screaming matches on the mountain? There certainly were loud, passionate arguments after the deaths.
Mr. Powter says we made the climbers look like buffoons and hosers, but the movie never impugns the Canadians' skills and professionalism as talented, experienced athletes. Do they goof around in the movie? You bet. Partying in the Kathmandu bars, rocks in knapsacks and other tricks en route, joshing to cut the tension on the mountain; these and the events mentioned above are documented, and confirmed in notes with many of the climbers.
The movie has the endorsement of Laurie Skreslet, Bruce Patterson, John Amatt and many others who were there. Mr. Powter was not.
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