Summit Talk
Sports Illustrated
FILMS
SI FILMS HAS partnered with Endemol Shine Beyond USA on the film Capturing Everest, in which a team of climbers wearing virtual reality cameras attempts to summit the world's highest peak. SI spoke with one of the climbers, 50-year-old Brent Bishop, about the movie and the mountain. Check out the trailer, which debuted last week at the Sundance Film Festival, at si.com/everest
SI:How does a Duke grad with an MBA become one of the world's foremost mountaineers?
BRENT BISHOP: As much as I picked climbing, climbing picked me. My father, Barry, was part of the first American team to climb Everest in 1963. From ages three to five I lived with the sherpas while my father was working for National Geographic. I kind of joke around that I was raised by sherpas.
SI:How many times have you summited Everest?
BB: Three. The first time was in 1994, when I became the first American legacy to summit Everest. At that time the only people who cared about it were climbers. I also summited in 2002 and '16.
SI:Why the continuing fascination with Everest?
BB: Everest is a metaphor for how we approach life. Climbing is still ordinary people doing extraordinary things. And in there is inspiration. We can do extraordinary things if we have the vision and we're willing to suffer a little bit.
SI:Will you attempt an Everest climb again?
BB: When I was younger all I cared about was summiting things. Now the summit is just an excuse to be there. I'll probably go back to Everest this spring, and that will probably be my last time.
SI:You have two sons, Reed, 18, and Barry, 20. Will they make it three generations of Bishops to stand on top of the world?
BB: They both rock climb but in no way am I pushing them to climb these big mountains. Those places are dangerous. I've lost probably 10 close friends.
SI:What is the message of this film?
BB: Everest is a serious place. No matter how it's approached people die on this mountain. It gives people a glimpse of what being on Everest is like.
WHAT TO WATCH
Saturday @ 8:30 p.m. ET
Clippers vs. Warriors (ABC) or Captain America: The First Avenger (USA)
NBA showdown has more superheroes—but fewer explosions—than the film.
Sunday @ 3:30 p.m. ET
NHL All-Star Game (NBC) or The Hangover Part III (FX)
Neither is as much fun as previous editions, but at least the movie's plot is easier to understand.
Feb. 1 @ noon ET
National Signing Day (ESPN2) or Dr. Phil (OWN)
Both marathons involve questionable life choices on display, but only one comes with hats.
Feb. 5 @ 3 p.m. ET
Super Bowl pregame show (FOX) or Puppy Bowl XIII (Animal Planet)
It's puppies playing football. What more do you need?