This new post isn't necessarily pertaining to music but it's still important. I just recently watched a documentary/movie about a terrible day in August of 2008 where eleven hikers were killed attempting to scale K2. For those who don't know, K2 is the second largest mountain in the world, located in Pakistan. [The first largest being Mount Everest in Nepal]
K2 is located near Everest but is known for it's dangerous reputation.
One out of every four people that attempt to climb it, will die.
Something really drew me into watching this movie, I think partly it was because I was so intrigued by these climbers' desire to keep on going no matter what. Numerous trials and tribulations suggested that they should turn back, but they never did. Something inside them needed to reach the top.
One of the saddest parts about this day to me is that 18 people made it to the top but only 11 made it down. They say descending a mountain is the most dangerous part, I guess they were right.
The main reason I wanted to write about this is for one sole purpose, an Irish man named Ger McDonnell. He was the first ever from his country to have made it to the top of K2.
He was a very experienced climber who'd previously climbed Everest. Friends said he was one of those people that walked into a room and had an energy about him that was contagious. He was goofy, happy and always bringing positive vibes. Much like a person I know in my life. Maybe that is why this story struck me so intensely, because he reminds me of my love; Landon.
Something that was said at the end of this documentary inspired me to document this for myself..
"If it takes 100 years, the truth will have to be recognized by those to whom that the verdict of history belongs."
I believe history belongs to us right now and I want to pass on and recognize true heroes in any way I can.
Throughout the years the real story as to what exactly happened to Ger McDonnell continued to change. Until his family travelled to across the world to find Ger's Sherpa friend that happened to be the last person alive that could shed some light on that day for the family. Perma told them that when Ger began descending he came across two injured and one deceased climber that was apart of the Korean group. He refused to leave their side, he helped carry the two survivors down the side of the mountain and over to where he could see the rescue helicopter landing.
In one moment, everything changed.
Some of the mountains ice began to melt off & turned into a small avalanche that took Ger and the two men down the mountain passed where Perma was descending. That is when Ger McDonnell lost his life. If he had stayed with his team there is a good chance he would still be alive today. He couldn't leave these people that he barely knew behind. I think that needs to be recognized and documented in any way possible.
True heroes are rare in this world
They leave their marks of inspiration
They leave behind that small piece of hope
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| Ger McDonnell 1971-2008 |
"When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home."- Tecumseh
