That’s the title for a 30-minute documentary TV programme my colleague Melanie Lindsell has made with young Welsh climber Tori James about her attempt to climb Everest. The programme goes out on BBC Wales on 6 May (see below)
Melanie’s an experienced Video Nation producer and she’s also had success with longer-form documentaries using the self-authored ethos of Video Nation. Because I knew the kit would need to be lightweight, durable and able to work under harsh conditions, I asked Mel about the cameras and batteries she gave Tori. Here’s Mel’s reply:
BBC Mini DV Camera: Panasonic NV-GS150
· Weighs 400grams – they were able to hang it on a karabiner on a rucksack strap for easy access when climbing
· Lithium batteries – lasted 2-3 days in sub zero conditions. They kept spare batteries next to their skin to keep them warm and maintain charge
· Recharged batteries using solar panels
BBC Nokia N93
· Weight: 180 grams. attached another, smaller karabiner so that she could attach to a rucksack strap
· Battery lasted 1-2days, had to recharge using normal phone charge connected to the solar panels
Had access to car batteries at base camp from which to charge all electrical equipment. If away for 2 or 3 weeks without any charging facilities recommend taking something that uses Lithium batteries. Lithium retains its charge the longest in cold conditions.
Also took a modified mountain helmet cam.
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Transmission details : You can watch Tori’s expedition in ‘On Top of the World’, Tuesday, May 6, BBC 2W at 7pm. Or on Friday, May 9, BBC2W at 10pm. The programme will also be available on BBC iPlayer in the UK for seven days from May 6 BBC iPlayer website. BBC 2W is on digital satellite channel 991 outside Wales and 102 within Wales.
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Gareth Morlais
Melanie has sent me this background info…
On Top of the World – Tori James, Everest
On the 25th of March 2007, Tori James from Haverfordwest, set off for Kathmandu in Nepal, destination the Himalayas, in an attempt to become the first ever Welsh woman and the youngest British female to reach the summit of Everest. Now, set against a stunning mountain backdrop, a video diary special for BBC Wales, filmed by Tori and boyfriend Ben Stephens. Climbing the world’s highest mountain requires a lot more than just the technical skills and the right clothing. For Tori it was a 22 month challenge which tested her to the limit both physically and mentally. To date, Everest has claimed the lives of over 200 climbers (22 have died since 2006). The human body can not survive for long in these temperatures and rescue, once above base camp, is such a dangerous business that bodies have been left where they fell.
Filming
Trying to film and climb was often a logistical nightmare for Tori as filming in these conditions is not easy. She took a number of filming devices with her and was able to hang the camera on a karabiner on a rucksack strap for easy access when climbing. She used lithium batteries which lasted 2-3 days in sub zero conditions and she kept spare batteries next to her skin to keep them warm and maintain charge. She recharged batteries using solar panels. The battery lasted 1-2days and she had to recharge using normal phone charge connected to the solar panels. She had access to car batteries at base camp from which to charge all electrical equipment. She also took a mountain helmet cam which she had to modify in several ways before they left.