Savage Mountain

A gripping, morally complex look at ambition and its costs, blending awe-inspiring climbs with uncomfortable ethical questions.

Directed by

Even Sigstad

Genres

Documentary

Starring

Kristin Harila, Tenjen Sherpa

Overview

Kristin Harila stunned the climbing community in 2023 when she set out to become the fastest person to summit the world’s 14 highest peaks. Alongside her climbing partner, Tenjen Lama Sherpa, she achieved what many believed impossible, summiting all 14 in just 92 days and halving the record held by Nims Purja. But, what should have been her greatest triumph became a reckoning. During the final ascent, Harila was accused of stepping over a dying porter, triggering a global backlash and fierce debate about ambition, ethics and who controls the narrative. Drawing on never‑before‑seen footage from K2, Savage Mountain unpacks the story behind the controversy.

How it feels

Tense, earnest and dark. Measured and needs your attention.

About

Ambition, morality, survival, media

Content

Mild violence, gore and language. No sexual content.

Note

Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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Watch the trailer on YouTube (opens in a new tab)