K2: Siren of the Himalayas

Gr 9 Up—Of the 14 mountains higher than 8,000 meters, only Mount Everest stands taller than K2. However, K2 is considered more treacherous, as it has been summited approximately 300 times (compared to almost 7,000 on Everest) with a higher death rate (nearly 25 percent). This documentary follows an expedition inspired by the 100th anniversary of an attempt led by the Duke of the Abruzzi. The modern, high-definition cinematography and computer-generated cartography contrast with the archival footage from that historic expedition. The poetic descriptions written by Filippo de Filippi about that 1909 expedition are read by narrator Simone Leorin. The modern-day multinational team of experienced climbers encounter numerous hardships, including the death of a colleague on another expedition. Their perseverance inspires, especially that of the determined Austrian Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner, who is poised to be the first woman to climb all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters.