Jess Roskelley

Opportunities may be handed to you a little easier when you’re the son of a legend but that doesn’t guarantee success. Being dragged to Pakistan at the age of 1 for a climbing expedition only to come home with Chicken Pox and being told 'You’re never going to be as good as your father' would make any young child stay as far away from climbing as possible. Jess Roskelley the son of Legendary climber John Roskelley and the only American to receive a Piolet d’Or Lifetime Achievement Award for his climbing achievements thought the same way throughout his childhood until that one climb changed his entire life.

In 1984 an American China-Everest Expedition returns to the wicked north face of the world's highest mountain. The climbing team includes Jim Wickwire, Phil Ershler and John Roskelley, led by Lou Whittaker, the dean of American climbers. Journey with them through Tibet and up the perilous mountain and share their triumph when a single team member, Phil Ershler stands on top of the world.