Isn’t it in the climb — both up and down — where we learn the most about these people? Stripped of warmth and convenient escape, their inner selves are laid bare in how they interact with each other, the elements and their own will to complete the adventure. The high risk and deep danger of it all is quite prevalent, sure, but so is the humanity and personality of each character.

With only so many liberties the movie could take with the source material, I felt that Everest chose to stay, despite the immensity of the visuals, as close to subtlety and simple storytelling as possible. And really, this disaster tells its drama all by itself.

If you can breath well enough in between the thrills, you’ll find those less exciting moments to take in.