Reinhard Tauchnitz

Summer of 1989. Germany is divided and the future fate of East Germany is yet unknown. The East Germans have been under the Soviet regime for many years. Many things that are common for West Germans are prohibited in East Germany and remain but only dreams. However, three adventurers want to realize their greatest dream: to become the first East Germans who climb an eight-thousand meter mountain in the Himalayas. Against all odds, it begins as one of the most spectacular escape attempts in the history of East Germany. Karsten König, Reinhardt Tauchnitz, and Sabine Körbs secretly plan for many months while under the constant fear of possible discovery by the Stasi.

Every year more and more expeditions set out to the Himalayas to climb Mount Everest or neighbouring peaks. The strenuous ascent takes mountaineers to their physical and psychological limits. A German expedition group wants to conquer Cho Oyu (the German goddess of turquoise) - at 8188 metres it is one of the giants of the Himalayas and the sixth highest mountain on earth. 360° - The GEO report leads into the icy heights of the Himalayas and accompanies the expedition to Cho Oyu.

Extreme trekking in the Himalayas: 15 hobby mountaineers set out to climb Cho Oyu, the sixth highest mountain in the world. In order to fulfill their dream, they go to the limit of their physical and mental performance. Many people have already lost their lives on the 8,201-meter high mountain on the border between Tibet and Nepal. In addition to wind and weather, it is above all altitude sickness that can thwart the summit climbers. But that doesn't scare any of the 15 mountaineers. For all of them here in the Himalayas, it's just about fulfilling a dream: They want to look from the top of the world and go to their limit.