Disturbed Podcast Narrator

To him, it seems like she's there just to get to the summit, and she's happy to let everyone else do the work. But he also cops to carrying less weight than Zeller. The altitude makes everything more difficult. That reporter back in Mendoza wasn't the only one who thought these climbers were only looking out for themselves.

To him, it seems like she's there just to get to the summit, and she's happy to let everyone else do the work. But he also cops to carrying less weight than Zeller. The altitude makes everything more difficult. That reporter back in Mendoza wasn't the only one who thought these climbers were only looking out for themselves.

Despite the dysfunction, the remaining group is now just a one-day climb from the summit, conditions look perfect. Everyone is ready to make a final push up the steep glacier to the top. But as everyone gets suited up, Petroski suddenly can't figure out his crampons, his specialized ice shoes. He's disoriented.

Despite the dysfunction, the remaining group is now just a one-day climb from the summit, conditions look perfect. Everyone is ready to make a final push up the steep glacier to the top. But as everyone gets suited up, Petroski suddenly can't figure out his crampons, his specialized ice shoes. He's disoriented.

Despite the dysfunction, the remaining group is now just a one-day climb from the summit, conditions look perfect. Everyone is ready to make a final push up the steep glacier to the top. But as everyone gets suited up, Petroski suddenly can't figure out his crampons, his specialized ice shoes. He's disoriented.

They all agree that he's showing symptoms of altitude sickness, perhaps even that deadly version that causes the brain to swell. He needs to get to a lower elevation pronto, and he can't do it alone. Alfonso, the guide, accompanies him down the mountain. The remaining four climbers have a decision to make. Are they going to continue climbing without a guide?

They all agree that he's showing symptoms of altitude sickness, perhaps even that deadly version that causes the brain to swell. He needs to get to a lower elevation pronto, and he can't do it alone. Alfonso, the guide, accompanies him down the mountain. The remaining four climbers have a decision to make. Are they going to continue climbing without a guide?

They all agree that he's showing symptoms of altitude sickness, perhaps even that deadly version that causes the brain to swell. He needs to get to a lower elevation pronto, and he can't do it alone. Alfonso, the guide, accompanies him down the mountain. The remaining four climbers have a decision to make. Are they going to continue climbing without a guide?

Cooper, McMillan, Zeller, and Johnson don't know each other well, and none of them has ever been at this elevation before. The smart choice is probably to descend. That's certainly safer. But they've come all the way around the world and toughed it out on an unforgiving mountain for eight days. Now the sun is shining. They are so close. They all agree. There's no turning back now.

Cooper, McMillan, Zeller, and Johnson don't know each other well, and none of them has ever been at this elevation before. The smart choice is probably to descend. That's certainly safer. But they've come all the way around the world and toughed it out on an unforgiving mountain for eight days. Now the sun is shining. They are so close. They all agree. There's no turning back now.

Cooper, McMillan, Zeller, and Johnson don't know each other well, and none of them has ever been at this elevation before. The smart choice is probably to descend. That's certainly safer. But they've come all the way around the world and toughed it out on an unforgiving mountain for eight days. Now the sun is shining. They are so close. They all agree. There's no turning back now.

It's important to note that from here on out, our story comes entirely from the memories of the survivors. Their version of the story is the only one we have. The group decides to lighten their loads to hopefully accelerate their progress. They leave their packs behind, carrying just their ice axes and a few essentials. For Johnson, that includes her camera. She takes photos as they climb.

It's important to note that from here on out, our story comes entirely from the memories of the survivors. Their version of the story is the only one we have. The group decides to lighten their loads to hopefully accelerate their progress. They leave their packs behind, carrying just their ice axes and a few essentials. For Johnson, that includes her camera. She takes photos as they climb.

It's important to note that from here on out, our story comes entirely from the memories of the survivors. Their version of the story is the only one we have. The group decides to lighten their loads to hopefully accelerate their progress. They leave their packs behind, carrying just their ice axes and a few essentials. For Johnson, that includes her camera. She takes photos as they climb.

But a few hours later, it's starting to get dark. They'd hoped to scale the glacier in one day, but they have roughly another thousand feet to climb with none of their gear. They're forced to dig an ice cave to sleep in. It's claustrophobic. After a few hours, Johnson and Zeller can't stand it. They give up on sleep and wait out the night at the mouth of the ice cave.

But a few hours later, it's starting to get dark. They'd hoped to scale the glacier in one day, but they have roughly another thousand feet to climb with none of their gear. They're forced to dig an ice cave to sleep in. It's claustrophobic. After a few hours, Johnson and Zeller can't stand it. They give up on sleep and wait out the night at the mouth of the ice cave.

But a few hours later, it's starting to get dark. They'd hoped to scale the glacier in one day, but they have roughly another thousand feet to climb with none of their gear. They're forced to dig an ice cave to sleep in. It's claustrophobic. After a few hours, Johnson and Zeller can't stand it. They give up on sleep and wait out the night at the mouth of the ice cave.

Powder blowing down from overhead almost seals the cave's entrance. Johnson digs Cooper and McMillan out at first light. Cooper spent most of the night with his legs buried in the snow. He's had it. He tells the group he's returning to camp. As best anyone can tell, Cooper is of sound mind and capable of getting down on his own. It's about a 1,000-foot descent, which is significant.

Powder blowing down from overhead almost seals the cave's entrance. Johnson digs Cooper and McMillan out at first light. Cooper spent most of the night with his legs buried in the snow. He's had it. He tells the group he's returning to camp. As best anyone can tell, Cooper is of sound mind and capable of getting down on his own. It's about a 1,000-foot descent, which is significant.

Powder blowing down from overhead almost seals the cave's entrance. Johnson digs Cooper and McMillan out at first light. Cooper spent most of the night with his legs buried in the snow. He's had it. He tells the group he's returning to camp. As best anyone can tell, Cooper is of sound mind and capable of getting down on his own. It's about a 1,000-foot descent, which is significant.