The film "K2 Chasing Shadows" is now available on YouTube after its festival tour at Mountains on Stage. The film follows French alpinist Benjamin Védrines as he sets a new record time on the world's second-highest peak and then becomes the first person to paraglide from K2.
Védrines shatters speed record
On July 28, 2024, for Benjamin Vedrines A dream come true: In just 10 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds, he reached the summit of K2. And he did it solo and without supplemental oxygen. The top alpinist was accompanied by a film crew during his ascent. "K2 Chasing Shadows" vividly portrays the inner life of a professional mountaineer, the emotions he experiences on the path to new records, and his insatiable hunger for more.
I can't live without the mountains. And I can't live without these kinds of projects. I need this; it's what has shaped me since my youth. The mountains have allowed me to keep living, because there was a time when I asked myself this question. This world is a little different. You don't have the same relationship to life down here as you do up there.
Benjamin Vedrines
K2 Chasing Shadows
David Arnaud and Hugo Clouzeau's film begins in 2022, when Védrines set an incredible FKT on Broad Peak. He reached the summit of his first eight-thousander in seven hours and 28 minutes, astonishing himself and the world. It wasn't long before he turned his attention to his next great goal, K2. On his first attempt, he collapsed. He was found unconscious by two other climbers on the descent not far from the summit, who administered oxygen. This experience haunted the Frenchman repeatedly, even during his successful ascent two years later.
The film tells a powerful and thought-provoking story of highs and lows, triumphs and failures – and of life in extreme conditions. It combines spectacular high-mountain footage with an intimate exploration of the mental state of an athlete who consciously seeks out risk. It's not just about speed and records, but about what drives people to repeatedly push the boundaries between control and loss of control. A clear recommendation from our editorial team!
You never truly reach the summit of your inner mountain.
Benjamin Vedrines
Here's the link to the film:
- Benjamin Védrines halved previous record time at Broad Peak
- Mountain Film Festival Mountains on Stage 2025 Winter Edition | Program & Raffle
+ + +
Credits: All images provided by The North Face PR Team @M+C Saatchi