1
00:00:02,900 --> 00:00:05,466
{\an7}NARRATOR: THE HIMALAYA...

2
00:00:05,566 --> 00:00:08,833
{\an1}THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN RANGE
ON EARTH...

3
00:00:12,066 --> 00:00:16,166
{\an1}TOWERING NEARLY 30,000 FEET
INTO THE SKY.

4
00:00:20,666 --> 00:00:26,433
{\an1}HIDDEN IN THESE MOUNTAINS
IS A MAGICAL WORLD,

5
00:00:26,433 --> 00:00:29,866
SECLUDED FORESTS
WITH EXTRAORDINARY CREATURES...

6
00:00:31,933 --> 00:00:36,600
{\an1}ANCIENT CULTURES
WITH MYSTERIOUS TRADITIONS...

7
00:00:39,933 --> 00:00:43,766
{\an7}DESERTS TRAPPED
IN HIGH MOUNTAIN PASSES...

8
00:00:46,600 --> 00:00:51,433
{\an1}RAGING RIVERS THAT FORM
UNDERGROUND KINGDOMS...

9
00:00:53,066 --> 00:00:58,766
{\an1}AND LOST VALLEYS
THAT HIDE ELUSIVE ANIMALS.

10
00:00:58,766 --> 00:01:03,766
IN THE HIMALAYA,
THE AIR IS THE THINNEST,

11
00:01:03,766 --> 00:01:06,400
{\an1}THE WIND THE STRONGEST,

12
00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:08,833
{\an1}THE PEAKS THE HIGHEST,

13
00:01:08,833 --> 00:01:13,433
{\an1}THE GORGES THE DEEPEST.

14
00:01:13,433 --> 00:01:17,700
{\an1}BUT EVEN HERE, THERE
ARE AN INCREDIBLE FEW

15
00:01:17,700 --> 00:01:21,433
{\an1}THAT FACE THESE EXTREMES
DAY IN AND DAY OUT...

16
00:01:23,433 --> 00:01:28,600
{\an1}OVERCOMING THE IMPOSSIBLE ODDS
TO CARVE OUT A LIFE...

17
00:01:28,600 --> 00:01:31,766
{\an1}ON THE ROOF OF THE WORLD.

18
00:01:33,433 --> 00:01:36,266
{\an1}ACROSS THE PLANET,
THE STRUGGLE TO SURVIVE

19
00:01:36,266 --> 00:01:40,566
{\an1}CONTINUES IN GREAT MOUNTAIN
RANGES THAT TOUCH THE SKIES...

20
00:01:42,433 --> 00:01:46,333
{\an1}HOSTILE, UNFORGIVING WORLDS
THAT SPAN CONTINENTS

21
00:01:46,333 --> 00:01:50,633
AND PUSH LIFE
TO ITS LIMITS...

22
00:01:52,500 --> 00:01:55,766
{\an1}WHERE AGAINST ALL ODDS,

23
00:01:55,766 --> 00:01:59,433
{\an1}A FEW EXTRAORDINARY ANIMALS

24
00:01:59,433 --> 00:02:02,800
{\an1}AND REMARKABLE PEOPLE
MAKE A HOME

25
00:02:02,800 --> 00:02:06,200
{\an7}IN THE HIGHEST PLACES
ON EARTH.

26
00:02:18,766 --> 00:02:21,100
{\an1}NARRATOR: THE HIMALAYA
STRETCH ACROSS ASIA

27
00:02:21,100 --> 00:02:24,066
FOR 1,500 MILES.

28
00:02:26,766 --> 00:02:31,266
{\an1}THEY EXTEND FROM PAKISTAN
IN THE WEST

29
00:02:31,266 --> 00:02:35,600
{\an7}THROUGH NORTHERN INDIA
INTO NEPAL,

30
00:02:35,600 --> 00:02:41,100
{\an7}CLIMBING TO THE HIGHEST POINT
ON EARTH, MOUNT EVEREST,

31
00:02:41,100 --> 00:02:46,433
{\an7}BEFORE PUSHING ON THROUGH BHUTAN
AND INTO CHINA.

32
00:02:52,366 --> 00:02:55,033
{\an1}HERE, IN THE PROVINCE
OF YUNNAN,

33
00:02:55,033 --> 00:02:57,366
AT 8,000 FEET
ABOVE SEA LEVEL,

34
00:02:57,366 --> 00:03:00,100
{\an1}IS A FROZEN FOREST.

35
00:03:03,100 --> 00:03:07,933
LIVING HERE IS
A REMARKABLE ANIMAL...

36
00:03:07,933 --> 00:03:11,100
RARELY SEEN...

37
00:03:15,600 --> 00:03:18,733
THE YUNNAN
SNUB-NOSED MONKEY.

38
00:03:20,433 --> 00:03:24,266
{\an1}NO OTHER MONKEY IN THE WORLD
LIVES AT A HIGHER ALTITUDE.

39
00:03:29,100 --> 00:03:32,000
{\an1}THEY HAVE NO NOSE
TO GET FROSTBITTEN...

40
00:03:34,766 --> 00:03:39,766
{\an1}PINK LIPS TO HELP THEM
STAND OUT IN A WHITE WORLD...

41
00:03:42,100 --> 00:03:45,100
{\an1}FUR 6 INCHES LONG...

42
00:03:47,400 --> 00:03:49,700
AND THEY NEED IT.

43
00:03:49,700 --> 00:03:53,766
{\an1}TEMPERATURES CAN DROP
TO MINUS-20.

44
00:03:55,200 --> 00:04:00,133
{\an1}THEY ENDURE THIS HARDSHIP
TO HAVE ACCESS TO THEIR FOOD...

45
00:04:00,133 --> 00:04:01,766
LICHEN...

46
00:04:01,766 --> 00:04:06,266
{\an1}IN WINTER, THE ONLY THING
THAT GROWS IN THIS FROZEN WORLD.

47
00:04:11,633 --> 00:04:13,766
TO PREVENT
FREEZING TO DEATH,

48
00:04:13,766 --> 00:04:17,766
{\an1}THEY MUST HUDDLE TOGETHER
FOR WARMTH.

49
00:04:19,600 --> 00:04:23,600
FOR THAT,
THEY NEED FAMILY.

50
00:04:34,266 --> 00:04:38,400
BUT THIS YOUNG
3-YEAR-OLD MALE IS ALONE.

51
00:04:42,100 --> 00:04:45,100
{\an1}HE WAS RECENTLY THROWN OUT
BY HIS FAMILY

52
00:04:45,100 --> 00:04:48,266
WHEN HIS MOTHER
HAD A NEWBORN.

53
00:04:53,366 --> 00:04:56,866
{\an1}COME NIGHTFALL,
THE TEMPERATURE WILL PLUMMET,

54
00:04:56,866 --> 00:05:00,366
{\an1}AND IF HE DOESN'T FIND
OTHERS TO HUDDLE WITH,

55
00:05:00,366 --> 00:05:02,600
{\an1}HE WON'T SURVIVE LONG.

56
00:05:02,600 --> 00:05:06,833
{\an1}HE HAS ONLY ONE OPTION...

57
00:05:06,833 --> 00:05:11,466
{\an1}TO BE ACCEPTED INTO A GANG
OF MALE EXILES.

58
00:05:16,566 --> 00:05:19,700
[MONKEYS CALLING]

59
00:05:22,266 --> 00:05:23,933
LIKE HIM,

60
00:05:23,933 --> 00:05:27,200
{\an1}THEY HAVE ALL BEEN THROWN OUT
OF THEIR FAMILY TROOPS.

61
00:05:27,200 --> 00:05:28,833
{\an1}[MONKEYS SCREECHING]

62
00:05:28,833 --> 00:05:32,266
THEY FIGHT
TO DECIDE THEIR RANK.

63
00:05:38,900 --> 00:05:43,966
{\an1}HUGE CANINES, NOT FOR EATING,
BUT FOR BITING.

64
00:05:43,966 --> 00:05:49,066
{\an1}AND THEY'RE RULED OVER
BY A FEROCIOUS LEADER.

65
00:05:56,300 --> 00:06:01,433
{\an1}IF HE'S REJECTED, HE HAS
LITTLE CHANCE OF SURVIVAL.

66
00:06:07,100 --> 00:06:10,433
HIS FIRST ATTEMPT
AT BEING ACCEPTED

67
00:06:10,433 --> 00:06:12,766
{\an1}HAS NOT STARTED WELL.

68
00:06:15,100 --> 00:06:18,600
{\an1}TO THE LOWER-RANKING
MEMBERS OF THE GANG,

69
00:06:18,600 --> 00:06:21,766
{\an1}HE IS SEEN AS A THREAT
TO THEIR POSITION IN THE GROUP.

70
00:06:38,933 --> 00:06:41,066
{\an1}HE'S QUICKLY CHASED AWAY.

71
00:06:57,033 --> 00:07:00,200
{\an1}HE'LL HAVE TO FACE
THE NEXT 12 HOURS

72
00:07:00,200 --> 00:07:05,300
{\an1}IN THE BLISTERING COLD
ON HIS OWN.

73
00:07:07,933 --> 00:07:14,766
IT'S GOING TO BE
A VERY LONG, COLD NIGHT.

74
00:07:22,100 --> 00:07:28,100
{\an1}BUT TONIGHT, CLOUDS COME IN,
INSULATING THE LAND.

75
00:07:28,100 --> 00:07:31,366
{\an1}THEY KEEP TEMPERATURES
FROM DROPPING TOO LOW.

76
00:07:34,433 --> 00:07:38,266
{\an1}IT'S GIVEN THE YOUNG MALE
A LIFELINE...

77
00:07:40,100 --> 00:07:43,100
{\an1}AT LEAST FOR ANOTHER DAY.

78
00:07:43,100 --> 00:07:44,766
IF HE CAN GET
CLOSE ENOUGH

79
00:07:44,766 --> 00:07:47,933
{\an1}TO BE ALLOWED TO GROOM
THE DOMINANT MALE,

80
00:07:47,933 --> 00:07:51,000
{\an1}HE COULD SECURE A PLACE
FOR HIMSELF IN THE GROUP.

81
00:07:53,533 --> 00:07:58,333
{\an1}HE SPOTS HIS CHANCE.
THE BOSS IS ON HIS OWN.

82
00:08:16,100 --> 00:08:19,600
{\an1}HE LETS THE YOUNG MALE
CLEAN HIS FUR.

83
00:08:19,600 --> 00:08:24,266
{\an1}IT'S A SIGN OF ACCEPTANCE
IN THE GROUP.

84
00:08:27,600 --> 00:08:31,266
{\an1}THE YOUNGSTER'S GAMBLE
HAS PAID OFF

85
00:08:31,266 --> 00:08:33,933
{\an1}AND SAVED HIS LIFE.

86
00:08:43,933 --> 00:08:48,600
{\an1}NOW HE CAN HUDDLE
WITH A SURROGATE FAMILY.

87
00:08:51,433 --> 00:08:57,033
{\an1}HERE IN THE HIMALAYA,
YOU RARELY GET A SECOND CHANCE.

88
00:09:00,333 --> 00:09:01,766
{\an1}THOSE THAT LIVE HERE

89
00:09:01,866 --> 00:09:06,400
{\an1}MUST TAKE EVERY
OPPORTUNITY THEY GET.

90
00:09:10,366 --> 00:09:12,933
{\an7}THE HIGHER YOU CLIMB
IN THE HIMALAYA,

91
00:09:13,033 --> 00:09:15,600
{\an1}THE TOUGHER IT GETS.

92
00:09:17,100 --> 00:09:19,766
{\an1}THESE MOUNTAINS CONTAIN
SOME OF THE HARSHEST WEATHER

93
00:09:19,766 --> 00:09:22,033
EVER RECORDED--

94
00:09:22,033 --> 00:09:26,766
{\an1}175-MILE-PER-HOUR WINDS...

95
00:09:26,766 --> 00:09:30,433
{\an1}AND MINUS-40 DEGREE
TEMPERATURES.

96
00:09:32,766 --> 00:09:35,933
{\an1}THEY ARE THE HIGHEST
PEAKS ON THE PLANET,

97
00:09:35,933 --> 00:09:40,766
{\an1}STRETCHING ALMOST 30,000 FEET
INTO THE SKY.

98
00:09:49,100 --> 00:09:52,433
{\an1}BETWEEN THESE GIANTS
LIE SOME OF THE MOST

99
00:09:52,433 --> 00:09:56,266
{\an1}INACCESSIBLE VALLEYS
IN THE WORLD.

100
00:09:56,266 --> 00:10:00,100
{\an1}COMPLETELY ISOLATED,
IT CAN TAKE WEEKS ON FOOT

101
00:10:00,100 --> 00:10:03,000
{\an1}JUST TO REACH THEM.

102
00:10:04,766 --> 00:10:09,333
{\an1}AND YET, ASTONISHINGLY,
PEOPLE DO LIVE HERE.

103
00:10:10,933 --> 00:10:15,433
{\an1}THE VILLAGE OF KIBBER
IN NORTHERN INDIA...

104
00:10:15,433 --> 00:10:20,200
{\an1}ONE OF THE MOST ISOLATED
VILLAGES IN THE HIMALAYA.

105
00:10:21,766 --> 00:10:26,600
{\an1}IN WINTER, SNOW AND ICE
BLOCK THE ROADS.

106
00:10:26,600 --> 00:10:30,766
{\an1}IT CUTS THE VILLAGE OFF
FROM THE REST OF THE WORLD.

107
00:10:30,766 --> 00:10:34,266
{\an1}THEY MUST BE COMPLETELY
SELF-SUFFICIENT.

108
00:10:42,900 --> 00:10:44,933
{\an1}ALL THEY HAVE
TO KEEP THEM ALIVE

109
00:10:44,933 --> 00:10:47,200
{\an1}ARE THEIR LIVESTOCK.

110
00:10:51,300 --> 00:10:57,700
{\an7}BUT NOW, A MYSTERIOUS BEAST
IS TAKING THEIR ANIMALS.

111
00:11:01,600 --> 00:11:08,233
{\an7}THE VILLAGERS CALL IT
"THE GHOST OF THE HIMALAYA."

112
00:11:08,233 --> 00:11:11,366
{\an1}[SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]

113
00:11:12,933 --> 00:11:16,700
{\an1}NARRATOR: EVERYONE HAS
THEIR OWN TALE TO TELL.

114
00:11:49,966 --> 00:11:52,866
{\an1}NARRATOR: COME EVENING,
THE VILLAGERS ARE FORCED

115
00:11:52,866 --> 00:11:58,066
{\an1}TO LOCK UP THEIR LIVESTOCK
IN THEIR OWN HOMES.

116
00:11:58,066 --> 00:12:02,633
[SHEEP BLEATING]

117
00:12:06,566 --> 00:12:09,266
{\an1}[SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]

118
00:12:12,266 --> 00:12:14,066
{\an1}[SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]

119
00:12:19,266 --> 00:12:22,433
{\an1}EVERYONE IS ON EDGE...

120
00:12:27,600 --> 00:12:31,433
{\an1}BECAUSE WHEN NIGHT FALLS,

121
00:12:31,433 --> 00:12:34,600
{\an1}THE CREATURE MAY COME
INTO THE VILLAGE,

122
00:12:34,600 --> 00:12:37,833
LOOKING FOR FOOD.

123
00:12:41,500 --> 00:12:45,166
[CATTLE MOOING]

124
00:12:51,600 --> 00:12:54,200
[HORSE NEIGHS]

125
00:13:18,100 --> 00:13:24,100
{\an1}DAWN, AND THE VILLAGERS
CAN BREATHE A SIGH OF RELIEF.

126
00:13:24,100 --> 00:13:27,100
{\an1}THERE WERE NO KILLS
LAST NIGHT.

127
00:13:27,100 --> 00:13:30,100
[SHEEP BLEATING]

128
00:13:31,666 --> 00:13:37,266
{\an1}BUT THE MYSTERIOUS BEAST
IS NEVER FAR AWAY,

129
00:13:37,266 --> 00:13:39,833
KEEPING AN EYE
ON ITS PREY.

130
00:13:39,833 --> 00:13:44,433
THIS IS NO LEGEND
OF THE HIMALAYA,

131
00:13:44,433 --> 00:13:46,633
{\an1}NO MYSTERIOUS YETI.

132
00:13:46,633 --> 00:13:50,866
{\an1}IT IS A REAL PREDATOR
LIKE FEW OTHERS.

133
00:13:50,866 --> 00:13:52,200
[BLEATING]

134
00:13:56,700 --> 00:13:59,700
A SNOW LEOPARD.

135
00:14:09,533 --> 00:14:13,600
{\an1}THEY ARE PERFECTLY SUITED
FOR THE HIMALAYA...

136
00:14:18,766 --> 00:14:22,766
THICK FUR
TO FIGHT THE COLD

137
00:14:22,766 --> 00:14:25,766
AND LARGE LUNGS
FOR THE THIN AIR

138
00:14:25,766 --> 00:14:31,933
{\an1}AND A TAIL AS LONG
AS ITS BODY FOR BALANCE.

139
00:14:37,266 --> 00:14:40,600
{\an1}BUT EVEN SO, IN WINTER,
THE WEATHER GETS SO BAD

140
00:14:40,600 --> 00:14:42,266
IN THE HIGH PEAKS

141
00:14:42,266 --> 00:14:45,433
{\an1}THAT IT PUSHES THE SNOW LEOPARD
DOWN TO THE VILLAGE,

142
00:14:45,433 --> 00:14:47,766
TOWARDS FOOD.

143
00:14:53,700 --> 00:14:59,066
{\an1}IT'S HARD TO TURN DOWN
AN EASY MEAL.

144
00:15:01,933 --> 00:15:06,933
{\an1}FOR THIS ISOLATED COMMUNITY,
EACH ANIMAL LOST

145
00:15:06,933 --> 00:15:11,766
{\an1}IS THE EQUIVALENT
OF TWO MONTHS' INCOME.

146
00:15:11,766 --> 00:15:17,033
{\an1}YET REMARKABLY, THEY DON'T WANT
THE SNOW LEOPARDS GONE.

147
00:15:18,600 --> 00:15:21,600
{\an1}HERE, THE BUDDHIST PHILOSOPHY
OF ACCEPTANCE

148
00:15:21,600 --> 00:15:23,700
{\an1}STRETCHES BEYOND
THE VILLAGE WALLS.

149
00:15:44,766 --> 00:15:48,600
{\an1}NARRATOR: WITH THE HELP
OF LOCAL CONSERVATION GROUPS,

150
00:15:48,600 --> 00:15:53,033
{\an1}THEY'VE COME UP WITH A SIMPLE
BUT INGENIOUS PLAN.

151
00:15:54,633 --> 00:15:58,033
{\an1}HERE, IN THE REMOTEST PARTS
OF THE HIMALAYA,

152
00:15:58,033 --> 00:16:02,266
{\an1}THEY HAVE MADE THEIR OWN
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY.

153
00:16:02,266 --> 00:16:04,433
{\an1}THEY'VE SET ASIDE AREAS

154
00:16:04,433 --> 00:16:08,700
{\an1}WHERE THEY WON'T GRAZE
THEIR LIVESTOCK.

155
00:16:08,700 --> 00:16:13,733
{\an1}THIS PROVIDES FOOD
FOR WILD BLUE SHEEP...

156
00:16:15,700 --> 00:16:20,766
{\an1}THE NATURAL PREY
OF THE SNOW LEOPARDS.

157
00:16:25,600 --> 00:16:29,433
{\an1}THIS ENTERPRISING COMMUNITY
HAS REDUCED

158
00:16:29,433 --> 00:16:32,433
THE NUMBER
OF LIVESTOCK LOST

159
00:16:32,433 --> 00:16:34,100
WHILE INCREASING
THE NUMBER

160
00:16:34,100 --> 00:16:36,700
{\an1}OF CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
SNOW LEOPARDS.

161
00:16:40,600 --> 00:16:43,766
{\an1}NORMALLY A RARE
AND ELUSIVE ANIMAL,

162
00:16:43,766 --> 00:16:46,100
KIBBER IS NOW
A SAFE HAVEN

163
00:16:46,100 --> 00:16:50,533
{\an1}FOR ONE OF THE RAREST
BIG CATS IN THE WORLD.

164
00:17:01,766 --> 00:17:03,766
[WIND BLOWING]

165
00:17:03,766 --> 00:17:05,933
{\an1}THE MOUNTAIN PEAKS
SURROUNDING KIBBER

166
00:17:05,933 --> 00:17:10,600
{\an1}STRETCH UP INTO THE SKY
FOR 20,000 FEET.

167
00:17:10,600 --> 00:17:15,600
{\an1}CLOUDS, HEAVY WITH RAIN,
ARRIVING ON THE SOUTHERN SLOPES

168
00:17:15,600 --> 00:17:20,100
{\an1}CAN'T CLIMB
OVER THIS BARRIER.

169
00:17:20,100 --> 00:17:23,100
{\an1}THEY ARE FORCED
TO DUMP THEIR RAIN.

170
00:17:23,100 --> 00:17:27,700
[THUNDER]

171
00:17:30,466 --> 00:17:32,466
{\an1}THE INDIAN MONSOON.

172
00:17:34,500 --> 00:17:42,366
{\an1}IN JUST 4 MONTHS, 3,000 BILLION
TONS OF RAIN FALLS.

173
00:17:48,266 --> 00:17:51,366
{\an1}HIGH IN THE MOUNTAINS,
THE RIVERS SWELL,

174
00:17:51,366 --> 00:17:53,633
{\an1}GOUGING DEEP VALLEYS.

175
00:18:03,600 --> 00:18:06,600
{\an1}IN THE RIVER GANGES ALONE,

176
00:18:06,600 --> 00:18:11,900
{\an1}40,000 TONS OF WATER
CAN RUSH PAST EVERY SECOND...

177
00:18:16,433 --> 00:18:19,933
WITH DEVASTATING
CONSEQUENCES.

178
00:18:28,933 --> 00:18:32,766
IN THE FOOTHILLS
OF MOUNT MACHHAPCHHRE IN NEPAL,

179
00:18:32,766 --> 00:18:34,766
{\an1}THE WATER IS SO POWERFUL,

180
00:18:34,766 --> 00:18:38,366
{\an1}IT BORES A HOLE
INTO THE MOUNTAIN.

181
00:18:51,766 --> 00:18:57,033
{\an7}HERE, THE ROCK
IS MAINLY LIMESTONE.

182
00:19:01,266 --> 00:19:04,066
{\an1}IT'S EASILY ERODED
BY THE WATER.

183
00:19:11,433 --> 00:19:14,600
{\an1}IT CREATES A LABYRINTH
OF CAVES AND TUNNELS

184
00:19:14,600 --> 00:19:17,100
{\an1}UNDER THE MOUNTAIN.

185
00:19:20,600 --> 00:19:27,600
{\an1}GIANT STALACTITES BUILD UP
OVER TENS OF THOUSANDS OF YEARS.

186
00:19:33,333 --> 00:19:38,266
{\an1}THIS WATER HAS CREATED
THE ONLY PLACE IN THE HIMALAYA

187
00:19:38,266 --> 00:19:41,266
{\an1}WHERE NOTHING EVER CHANGES.

188
00:19:43,600 --> 00:19:46,200
WINTER TO SUMMER,
THE TEMPERATURE

189
00:19:46,200 --> 00:19:48,700
{\an1}IS A CONSTANT 40 DEGREES...

190
00:19:51,266 --> 00:19:56,000
{\an1}IDEAL FOR THE MOST SURPRISING
OF HIMALAYAN CREATURES.

191
00:20:04,666 --> 00:20:07,666
{\an1}GREATER HORSESHOE BATS CAN ONLY
FLOURISH IN THE MOUNTAINS

192
00:20:07,666 --> 00:20:10,266
{\an1}BECAUSE OF THESE CAVES.

193
00:20:10,266 --> 00:20:12,600
[BATS SCREECHING]

194
00:20:12,600 --> 00:20:18,600
{\an1}DOWN HERE, IT NEVER FREEZES,
IT NEVER SNOWS,

195
00:20:18,600 --> 00:20:22,433
THERE'S NO WIND.

196
00:20:22,433 --> 00:20:25,600
{\an1}THESE BATS ARE PERHAPS
THE ONE HIMALAYAN ANIMAL

197
00:20:25,600 --> 00:20:30,433
{\an1}THAT DEALS WITH THE EXTREMES
BY AVOIDING THEM.

198
00:20:45,433 --> 00:20:48,266
{\an1}A PERFECT SANCTUARY,

199
00:20:48,266 --> 00:20:51,700
{\an1}CREATED BY THE WATER
FROM THE MONSOON.

200
00:21:02,266 --> 00:21:04,266
{\an1}BUT 10,000 FEET UP,

201
00:21:04,266 --> 00:21:07,266
{\an1}ON THE NORTHERN SLOPES
OF THE MOUNTAINS,

202
00:21:07,266 --> 00:21:09,866
{\an1}THERE IS NO WATER AT ALL.

203
00:21:11,433 --> 00:21:16,600
{\an1}THIS IS THE DRIEST PLACE
IN THE HIMALAYA,

204
00:21:16,600 --> 00:21:21,033
{\an1}THE NORTHERN INDIAN PROVINCE
OF LADAKH.

205
00:21:23,766 --> 00:21:26,800
THE RAIN CLOUDS
STRUGGLE TO REACH HERE,

206
00:21:26,800 --> 00:21:30,433
KEPT OUT BY
THE TOWERING PEAKS.

207
00:21:32,666 --> 00:21:37,766
THE RESULT?
A HIGH-ALTITUDE DESERT.

208
00:21:41,766 --> 00:21:44,266
FOR CENTURIES,
THE FAMOUS TRADING PATH,

209
00:21:44,266 --> 00:21:48,100
{\an1}THE SILK ROUTE, RAN THROUGH
THIS HOSTILE DESERT

210
00:21:48,100 --> 00:21:51,766
{\an1}AS TRADERS WENT
FROM PERSIA TO CHINA.

211
00:21:51,766 --> 00:21:56,366
{\an1}[ANIMALS GRUNTING]

212
00:21:56,366 --> 00:21:59,700
{\an1}TO TRANSPORT GOODS,
THEY DEPENDED ON A CREATURE

213
00:21:59,700 --> 00:22:02,433
{\an1}PERFECTLY SUITED
FOR THESE MOUNTAINS...

214
00:22:04,766 --> 00:22:06,600
{\an1}THE BACTRIAN CAMEL.

215
00:22:06,600 --> 00:22:08,766
[CAMELS GRUNTING]

216
00:22:13,633 --> 00:22:18,433
{\an1}COMING FROM MONGOLIA,
ITS TOUGHENED SPLAYED FEET

217
00:22:18,433 --> 00:22:23,833
{\an1}CAN TACKLE BOTH SAND DUNES
AND ROCKY PASSES.

218
00:22:26,933 --> 00:22:29,433
{\an1}THICK HAIR CAN GROW
A FOOT LONG

219
00:22:29,433 --> 00:22:31,833
FOR TEMPERATURES
OF MINUS-30.

220
00:22:35,100 --> 00:22:40,633
{\an1}AND BACTRIANS HAVE NOT JUST ONE,
BUT TWO HUMPS,

221
00:22:40,633 --> 00:22:44,100
EACH HOLDING
UP TO 100 POUNDS OF FAT

222
00:22:44,100 --> 00:22:46,766
FOR FOOD STORAGE.

223
00:23:00,200 --> 00:23:02,766
{\an7}THEY'RE SO WELL ADAPTED,

224
00:23:02,766 --> 00:23:05,433
{\an7}THEY BECAME THE ULTIMATE
MODE OF TRANSPORT

225
00:23:05,433 --> 00:23:08,900
{\an7}OVER THESE HIMALAYAN PATHS.

226
00:23:15,600 --> 00:23:19,533
{\an1}THERE ARE SOME TRAVELERS
IN THE HIMALAYA

227
00:23:19,533 --> 00:23:24,433
{\an1}WHO WISH TO GO EVEN DEEPER
INTO THE MOUNTAINS,

228
00:23:24,433 --> 00:23:29,433
{\an1}DOWN AGE-OLD ROUTES
EVEN MORE REMOTE.

229
00:23:39,933 --> 00:23:43,500
12,000 FEET UP...

230
00:23:44,933 --> 00:23:48,266
LAMA DORJE
IS A TIBETAN MONK.

231
00:23:48,266 --> 00:23:51,033
{\an1}HE HAS TRAVELED HIGH
INTO THE HIMALAYA

232
00:23:51,033 --> 00:23:53,833
{\an1}IN SEARCH OF SOLITUDE...

233
00:23:56,266 --> 00:23:59,333
GUIDED HERE
BY ANCIENT SCRIPTURES.

234
00:23:59,333 --> 00:24:01,400
[MONKS CHANTING]

235
00:24:05,266 --> 00:24:07,600
{\an7}[MAN SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]

236
00:24:28,833 --> 00:24:33,733
{\an1}BEHIND THIS DOOR IS A CAVE
IN THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN.

237
00:24:40,100 --> 00:24:44,600
FOR 8 MONTHS,
THIS WAS DORJE'S HOME.

238
00:24:46,766 --> 00:24:51,700
{\an1}WITH ONLY CANDLES FOR HEAT,
TOTALLY ALONE,

239
00:24:51,700 --> 00:24:55,533
{\an1}HE SPENT EVERY WAKING HOUR
MEDITATING.

240
00:24:55,533 --> 00:24:59,200
{\an1}[DORJE CHANTING
IN NATIVE LANGUAGE]

241
00:24:59,200 --> 00:25:02,600
{\an1}EVERY MONTH, FOOD
WAS LEFT AT A DROP-OFF

242
00:25:02,600 --> 00:25:05,600
{\an1}FURTHER DOWN THE MOUNTAIN.

243
00:25:08,433 --> 00:25:11,600
HE SAW NO ONE.

244
00:25:13,900 --> 00:25:18,600
{\an1}DORJE USED THE SOLITUDE
OF THIS EXTREME LAND

245
00:25:18,600 --> 00:25:22,433
{\an1}ON HIS QUEST
FOR ENLIGHTENMENT.

246
00:25:30,933 --> 00:25:35,100
CLIMB HIGHER,
TO 13,000 FEET

247
00:25:35,100 --> 00:25:37,433
{\an1}ON THE SLOPES
OF LASIAC MOUNTAIN,

248
00:25:37,433 --> 00:25:39,433
{\an1}AND THERE'S ANOTHER
HIMALAYAN RESIDENT

249
00:25:39,433 --> 00:25:42,100
{\an1}THAT IS ALSO HIDDEN
WITHIN THE MOUNTAIN.

250
00:25:47,600 --> 00:25:49,533
BORN UNDERGROUND,

251
00:25:49,533 --> 00:25:54,533
{\an1}HE IS ABOUT TO HAVE HIS FIRST
GLIMPSE OF THE OUTSIDE WORLD.

252
00:25:55,700 --> 00:25:58,433
[SNIFFING SOUNDS]

253
00:26:00,766 --> 00:26:04,600
{\an7}A BABY HIMALAYAN MARMOT.

254
00:26:09,600 --> 00:26:13,600
AND HE HAS
ONE BIG TASK AHEAD.

255
00:26:16,566 --> 00:26:21,100
{\an1}HE HAS TO TRIPLE HIS WEIGHT
IN ONLY 12 WEEKS.

256
00:26:23,700 --> 00:26:28,600
{\an1}WHEN WINTER ARRIVES,
HE WILL HIBERNATE FOR 8 MONTHS,

257
00:26:28,600 --> 00:26:32,933
{\an1}AND FOR THAT, HE NEEDS
BIG FAT RESERVES.

258
00:26:32,933 --> 00:26:36,633
{\an1}[MARMOT SCREECHING]

259
00:26:36,633 --> 00:26:40,933
HE HAS A LOT
OF GRASS TO EAT,

260
00:26:40,933 --> 00:26:44,000
{\an1}BUT THERE'S COMPETITION.

261
00:26:44,000 --> 00:26:47,766
{\an1}THERE ARE 50 OTHER MARMOTS
LIVING HERE,

262
00:26:47,766 --> 00:26:50,533
ALL HUNGRY.

263
00:26:55,833 --> 00:27:02,600
{\an1}ON THIS, HIS FIRST DAY OUTSIDE,
HE MUST STAKE HIS CLAIM.

264
00:27:02,600 --> 00:27:05,100
{\an1}[MARMOTS SCREECHING]

265
00:27:10,766 --> 00:27:14,433
{\an1}THE FIGHT STARTS
WITH A RITUAL POSE.

266
00:27:21,433 --> 00:27:24,466
{\an1}THEN THE RULE BOOK
GETS THROWN OUT.

267
00:27:52,700 --> 00:27:59,033
{\an1}SECURING A PATCH OF GRASS
IS JUST THE FIRST CHALLENGE.

268
00:27:59,033 --> 00:28:04,566
{\an1}UP HERE, MARMOTS ARE
ON EVERYONE'S MENU.

269
00:28:04,566 --> 00:28:08,466
TIBETAN FOX...

270
00:28:08,466 --> 00:28:12,600
{\an1}HIMALAYAN BROWN BEAR...

271
00:28:12,600 --> 00:28:14,400
[BEAR GROWLING]

272
00:28:14,400 --> 00:28:16,766
[BIRD SCREECHING]

273
00:28:16,766 --> 00:28:20,466
{\an1}AND GOLDEN EAGLES...

274
00:28:20,466 --> 00:28:24,800
{\an1}ALL FEED ON MARMOTS.

275
00:28:24,800 --> 00:28:27,233
EVERYONE
IS ON HIGH ALERT,

276
00:28:27,233 --> 00:28:31,133
MAKING IT HARD
TO CONCENTRATE ON EATING.

277
00:28:41,366 --> 00:28:43,333
[SCREECHING]

278
00:28:43,333 --> 00:28:45,933
WHEN THE ALARM
IS SOUNDED,

279
00:28:45,933 --> 00:28:48,300
THERE'S ONLY
ONE COURSE OF ACTION.

280
00:28:48,300 --> 00:28:51,000
{\an1}[ANIMALS GRUNTING]

281
00:28:59,000 --> 00:29:03,633
{\an1}THIS TIME, IT'S A HERD
OF HIMALAYAN YAK.

282
00:29:03,633 --> 00:29:07,600
THEY MAY BE
INTIMIDATING IN SIZE...

283
00:29:09,100 --> 00:29:12,233
{\an1}BUT AT LEAST THEY'RE NOT
HERE FOR THE MARMOTS.

284
00:29:14,600 --> 00:29:18,600
{\an1}THE MEADOW HAS BECOME
THE STAGING GROUND

285
00:29:18,600 --> 00:29:20,800
FOR THE YAKS'
ANNUAL RUT.

286
00:29:31,266 --> 00:29:34,266
MALES COMPETE
FOR THE RIGHT TO MATE.

287
00:29:42,066 --> 00:29:46,100
{\an1}BUT IT'S NOT EXACTLY
CONDUCIVE TO FINE DINING.

288
00:29:50,766 --> 00:29:54,966
{\an1}LUCKILY, THE YAKS
QUICKLY EXHAUST THEMSELVES,

289
00:29:54,966 --> 00:29:58,633
{\an1}AND, IN FACT, THEIR PRESENCE
ACTUALLY HELPS THE MARMOTS.

290
00:30:05,366 --> 00:30:08,100
[SQUISHING]

291
00:30:08,100 --> 00:30:09,100
[THUD]

292
00:30:09,100 --> 00:30:11,233
{\an1}THEY PROVIDE PLENTY OF...

293
00:30:11,233 --> 00:30:15,066
{\an1}FERTILIZER FOR THE GRASS.

294
00:30:15,066 --> 00:30:21,100
{\an1}THEIR GRAZING ALSO CREATES
LOTS OF NEW GRASS SHOOTS

295
00:30:21,100 --> 00:30:24,600
RICH IN ENERGY
AND PROTEIN...

296
00:30:26,100 --> 00:30:29,733
{\an1}FAR MORE NUTRITIOUS
FOR A GROWING MARMOT.

297
00:30:37,033 --> 00:30:42,900
{\an7}HE CAN NOW START TO PILE ON
THOSE PRECIOUS CALORIES.

298
00:30:44,433 --> 00:30:48,100
{\an1}IT'S GIVEN HIM A FIGHTING CHANCE
TO BE READY FOR WINTER

299
00:30:48,100 --> 00:30:50,800
{\an1}AND HIS 8-MONTH HIBERNATION.

300
00:30:56,066 --> 00:30:58,533
{\an1}BUT THE MARMOT IS NOT
THE ONLY YOUNG ONE

301
00:30:58,533 --> 00:31:02,433
{\an1}TO FACE CHALLENGES HERE.

302
00:31:02,433 --> 00:31:04,566
13,500 FEET UP...

303
00:31:04,566 --> 00:31:06,433
[GONG RINGS]

304
00:31:06,433 --> 00:31:07,933
{\an1}AND IT'S TIME FOR SCHOOL

305
00:31:07,933 --> 00:31:10,433
{\an1}IN THE HIGHEST VILLAGE
IN THE HIMALAYA.

306
00:31:10,433 --> 00:31:15,100
{\an1}FOR TEENAGERS TENZING,
PANMA, AND TASHI,

307
00:31:15,100 --> 00:31:17,633
{\an1}TODAY IS THE BEGINNING
OF THEIR EXAMS.

308
00:31:17,633 --> 00:31:20,300
{\an7}[SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]

309
00:31:23,466 --> 00:31:27,100
{\an1}NARRATOR: BEFORE THEY PUT
PEN TO PAPER,

310
00:31:27,100 --> 00:31:31,600
{\an1}THERE IS JUST THE SMALL MATTER
OF GETTING TO SCHOOL.

311
00:31:35,600 --> 00:31:41,966
{\an1}A 650-FOOT-DEEP GORGE SEPARATES
THEIR HOMES FROM SCHOOL.

312
00:31:43,433 --> 00:31:50,233
{\an1}IT TAKES 5 HOURS TO WALK DOWN
AND THEN UP TO THE OTHER SIDE.

313
00:31:50,233 --> 00:31:54,033
{\an1}THERE IS, HOWEVER,
A QUICKER WAY.

314
00:31:59,700 --> 00:32:03,133
{\an1}HALF THE SIZE
OF A SHOPPING CART,

315
00:32:03,133 --> 00:32:09,366
{\an1}THIS BASKET AND ZIP LINE
WILL GET THEM ACROSS IN MINUTES.

316
00:32:11,566 --> 00:32:16,933
{\an1}ALL THAT IS LEFT TO DO
IS JUST LET GO.

317
00:32:32,433 --> 00:32:35,433
{\an1}ONCE THEY REACH
THE HALFWAY POINT...

318
00:32:36,933 --> 00:32:39,266
{\an1}THEY MUST LEAN OUT
TO PULL THEMSELVES

319
00:32:39,266 --> 00:32:41,600
{\an1}ACROSS TO THE OTHER SIDE.

320
00:32:44,600 --> 00:32:47,800
BUT IN SPITE
OF THEIR EXTREME COMMUTE,

321
00:32:47,800 --> 00:32:50,533
{\an1}THESE ARE STILL STUDENTS
LIKE ANY OTHERS,

322
00:32:50,533 --> 00:32:54,433
{\an1}AND THERE IS STILL ONLY
ONE THING ON THEIR MIND...

323
00:32:54,433 --> 00:32:57,866
{\an1}[SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]

324
00:32:57,866 --> 00:33:00,833
{\an1}NARRATOR: GETTING
TO THEIR EXAM ON TIME.

325
00:33:13,966 --> 00:33:17,233
TWO HOURS LATER,
IT'S PENCILS DOWN

326
00:33:17,233 --> 00:33:21,500
{\an1}AND TIME FOR THE DAILY COMMUTE
BACK HOME.

327
00:33:24,933 --> 00:33:29,766
{\an1}FACING EXTREMES IS JUST PART
OF DAILY LIFE

328
00:33:29,766 --> 00:33:32,266
{\an1}FOR THOSE THAT LIVE
IN THE HIMALAYA.

329
00:33:35,600 --> 00:33:38,933
14,000 FEET UP

330
00:33:38,933 --> 00:33:41,933
{\an1}IS THE MOST BARREN
AND UNFORGIVING LAND

331
00:33:41,933 --> 00:33:44,700
{\an1}SHAPED BY THE HIMALAYA...

332
00:33:44,700 --> 00:33:49,366
{\an7}THE TIBETAN PLATEAU.

333
00:33:49,366 --> 00:33:54,700
{\an7}IT RUNS FOR 1,800 MILES
ALONG THE NORTH OF THE HIMALAYA,

334
00:33:54,700 --> 00:34:00,500
{\an7}UNBELIEVABLY VAST, LARGER
THAN THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES.

335
00:34:02,533 --> 00:34:07,066
{\an1}FROST FOR 6 MONTHS
OF THE YEAR...

336
00:34:08,100 --> 00:34:09,600
{\an1}DRY AS A DESERT...

337
00:34:12,100 --> 00:34:16,066
{\an7}BUT SOME CREATURES
DO MAKE THEIR HOME HERE.

338
00:34:24,100 --> 00:34:29,400
{\an1}THE CHIRU, WITH THE FINEST
AND WARMEST WOOL

339
00:34:29,400 --> 00:34:32,266
{\an1}IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM.

340
00:34:32,266 --> 00:34:35,633
IT CAN COPE WITH
MINUS-40 DEGREE WINTERS.

341
00:34:38,566 --> 00:34:43,566
{\an1}THE KIANG, AN ANCIENT
RELATIVE OF THE HORSE.

342
00:34:43,566 --> 00:34:47,100
{\an1}IT CAN SURVIVE
WITHOUT DRINKING FOR WEEKS.

343
00:34:49,866 --> 00:34:54,966
{\an1}BUT THE STRANGEST CREATURE
OF THEM ALL...

344
00:34:54,966 --> 00:34:59,533
{\an1}THE TIBETAN
HOT SPRINGS SNAKE.

345
00:34:59,533 --> 00:35:05,600
{\an7}NO OTHER SNAKE LIVES
AT ALTITUDES THIS HIGH.

346
00:35:08,100 --> 00:35:13,433
{\an7}HERE ON THE TIBETAN PLATEAU,
THERE ARE THERMAL POOLS,

347
00:35:13,433 --> 00:35:17,033
{\an1}HEATED BY MAGMA
DEEP UNDER THE EARTH.

348
00:35:20,433 --> 00:35:23,366
{\an1}SNAKES ARE COLD-BLOODED.

349
00:35:26,600 --> 00:35:29,100
{\an1}SO WHAT BETTER WAY
TO WARM UP

350
00:35:29,100 --> 00:35:31,933
THAN TO SIT
IN A HOT TUB?

351
00:35:36,766 --> 00:35:39,433
{\an1}LIVING AND FEEDING
IN THESE POOLS

352
00:35:39,433 --> 00:35:42,433
{\an1}SOUNDS LIKE PARADISE.

353
00:35:45,766 --> 00:35:47,700
{\an1}BUT IN EVERY DIRECTION,

354
00:35:47,700 --> 00:35:51,366
{\an1}THE SNAKES ARE SURROUNDED
BY HUNDREDS OF MILES

355
00:35:51,366 --> 00:35:54,533
{\an1}OF FREEZING-COLD WILDERNESS.

356
00:35:59,433 --> 00:36:05,266
{\an1}BATHING IN THESE HEATED POOLS
ISN'T A CHOICE.

357
00:36:05,266 --> 00:36:11,100
IT'S THE ONLY WAY
TO STAY ALIVE, A HAVEN...

358
00:36:11,100 --> 00:36:16,166
{\an1}BUT ALSO A PRISON
THEY CAN NEVER LEAVE.

359
00:36:24,933 --> 00:36:29,266
{\an1}ON THE VERY EDGE
OF THE TIBETAN PLATEAU,

360
00:36:29,266 --> 00:36:31,766
THERE IS
AN ENORMOUS MOUNTAIN,

361
00:36:31,766 --> 00:36:36,100
SO HIGH IT TOWERS
OVER ALL OTHERS.

362
00:36:38,100 --> 00:36:43,100
{\an1}IT SITS ON THE BORDER
BETWEEN NEPAL AND CHINA.

363
00:36:43,100 --> 00:36:49,100
{\an1}AN EVER-CHANGING RIVER OF ICE
GUARDS THE ROUTE TO ITS SUMMIT.

364
00:36:49,100 --> 00:36:53,700
{\an1}THE TIBETANS KNOW IT
AS CHOMOLUNGMA,

365
00:36:53,700 --> 00:36:57,366
MEANING "MOTHER
OF THE UNIVERSE."

366
00:36:57,366 --> 00:37:02,766
{\an1}TO MOST, IT IS KNOWN
AS MOUNT EVEREST...

367
00:37:04,766 --> 00:37:08,933
{\an1}THE TALLEST MOUNTAIN
ON EARTH.

368
00:37:11,266 --> 00:37:14,466
{\an1}TODAY, AN ELITE GROUP
OF ATHLETES

369
00:37:14,466 --> 00:37:16,433
IS GATHERING
ON ITS SLOPES

370
00:37:16,433 --> 00:37:21,266
{\an1}TO TAKE PART IN THE HIGHEST RACE
IN THE WORLD...

371
00:37:21,266 --> 00:37:24,700
{\an1}THE EVEREST MARATHON.

372
00:37:29,100 --> 00:37:33,266
{\an1}FOR MIRA RAI,
A NEPALESE RUNNER,

373
00:37:33,266 --> 00:37:37,266
{\an7}THIS IS HER FIRST ATTEMPT.

374
00:38:02,266 --> 00:38:06,433
{\an1}NARRATOR: THE START OF THE RACE
IS AT 17,000 FEET,

375
00:38:06,433 --> 00:38:09,933
{\an1}BY EVEREST BASE CAMP.

376
00:38:09,933 --> 00:38:15,266
{\an7}IT TAKES 10 DAYS OF TREKKING
JUST TO GET HERE.

377
00:38:15,266 --> 00:38:19,933
{\an1}BUT THAT'S NOT THE BIGGEST
PROBLEM IN THIS EXTREME PLACE.

378
00:38:21,266 --> 00:38:27,600
{\an1}AS ALTITUDE INCREASES,
THE AIR PRESSURE DROPS.

379
00:38:29,433 --> 00:38:33,600
{\an1}HERE, EACH BREATH CONTAINS
ONLY HALF THE AMOUNT OF OXYGEN

380
00:38:33,600 --> 00:38:37,333
{\an1}THAN AT SEA LEVEL.

381
00:38:37,333 --> 00:38:39,600
{\an1}MIRA AND THE OTHER
ATHLETES

382
00:38:39,600 --> 00:38:43,266
{\an1}ARE ABOUT TO STARVE THEMSELVES
OF OXYGEN

383
00:38:43,266 --> 00:38:44,933
WHILE RUNNING
DOWN THE SIDE

384
00:38:44,933 --> 00:38:48,933
{\an1}OF THE TALLEST MOUNTAIN
IN THE WORLD.

385
00:38:48,933 --> 00:38:52,533
{\an1}HERE, EVEN WHILE RESTING,

386
00:38:52,533 --> 00:38:54,366
{\an1}THE BODY IS SUFFERING.

387
00:38:54,366 --> 00:38:57,533
THERE'S HEADACHE
AND NAUSEA.

388
00:38:57,533 --> 00:38:59,866
BLOOD VESSELS
START TO BURST.

389
00:38:59,866 --> 00:39:02,933
{\an1}THE PULSE RATE DOUBLES.

390
00:39:02,933 --> 00:39:07,433
{\an1}AND THAT'S BEFORE
THEY EVEN START RUNNING.

391
00:39:07,433 --> 00:39:13,433
{\an1}THE DOCTORS' ADVICE
IS NOT TO PUSH YOUR BODY.

392
00:39:17,933 --> 00:39:19,766
{\an1}[STARTER GUN FIRES]

393
00:39:19,766 --> 00:39:22,400
[CHEERING]

394
00:39:25,800 --> 00:39:29,433
MAN: GOOD LUCK,
EVERYBODY!

395
00:39:29,433 --> 00:39:32,266
{\an1}NARRATOR: IMMEDIATELY
THE ATHLETES FEEL

396
00:39:32,266 --> 00:39:36,033
THE FULL FORCE
OF THIS ALTITUDE.

397
00:39:38,266 --> 00:39:42,266
{\an1}NORMALLY, THIS LEVEL
OF OXYGEN STARVATION

398
00:39:42,266 --> 00:39:45,600
{\an1}HAPPENS WHEN SOMEONE
IS CRITICALLY ILL.

399
00:39:50,600 --> 00:39:52,600
{\an1}THE MOUNTAIN'S TOUGH TERRAIN

400
00:39:52,600 --> 00:39:56,266
{\an1}FORCES THE PACK
TO QUICKLY THIN OUT.

401
00:39:58,733 --> 00:40:01,766
{\an1}[WOMAN BREATHING HEAVILY]

402
00:40:12,000 --> 00:40:15,266
{\an1}MIRA TAKES AN EARLY LEAD.

403
00:40:18,600 --> 00:40:22,733
{\an1}LIKE ALL WHO SPEND TIME
HIGH IN THE HIMALAYA,

404
00:40:22,733 --> 00:40:28,600
{\an1}HER BODY HAS TRANSFORMED
TO TACKLE THE CONDITIONS.

405
00:40:32,766 --> 00:40:37,200
{\an1}SHE HAS UP TO 50% MORE
HEMOGLOBIN IN HER BLOOD...

406
00:40:39,766 --> 00:40:43,600
{\an1}ALLOWING HER TO CARRY
MORE OXYGEN...

407
00:40:46,100 --> 00:40:50,566
{\an1}BOOSTING HER ABILITY
TO KEEP RUNNING.

408
00:40:54,466 --> 00:40:57,033
[MIRA SPEAKING
NATIVE LANGUAGE]

409
00:41:14,266 --> 00:41:17,700
{\an1}NARRATOR: ALL THOSE
WHO LIVE IN THESE MOUNTAINS

410
00:41:17,700 --> 00:41:24,500
{\an1}KNOW THAT ONE WRONG STEP
COULD END IN DISASTER.

411
00:41:24,500 --> 00:41:27,100
[MIRA SPEAKING
NATIVE LANGUAGE]

412
00:41:41,933 --> 00:41:44,266
{\an1}NARRATOR: IN THIS RACE,

413
00:41:44,266 --> 00:41:50,066
{\an1}THE FIRST 7 RUNNERS
ARE ALL NEPALESE...

414
00:41:50,066 --> 00:41:52,533
EVEN THOUGH SOME
ARE LOCAL FARMERS

415
00:41:52,533 --> 00:41:56,700
{\an1}COMPETING AGAINST HIGHLY TRAINED
WESTERN ATHLETES.

416
00:41:59,033 --> 00:42:01,033
{\an1}IT'S IN THEIR GENES.

417
00:42:01,033 --> 00:42:06,200
{\an1}OVER THOUSANDS OF YEARS, MANY
HIMALAYAN PEOPLE HAVE ADAPTED,

418
00:42:06,200 --> 00:42:11,600
{\an1}ALLOWING THEM TO COPE WITH
CRITICALLY LOW OXYGEN LEVELS.

419
00:42:13,100 --> 00:42:16,433
{\an1}MIRA, TOO, WAS BORN
IN THE MOUNTAINS.

420
00:42:16,433 --> 00:42:20,100
{\an1}SHE IS A NATURAL
MASTER OF THIS WORLD.

421
00:42:29,766 --> 00:42:32,666
{\an1}THE END IS IN SIGHT--

422
00:42:32,666 --> 00:42:36,266
NAMCHE BAZAAR,
THE HIGHEST TOWN IN THE REGION.

423
00:42:36,266 --> 00:42:38,266
{\an8}[CHEERING]

424
00:42:48,733 --> 00:42:52,000
{\an7}SHE'S NOT ONLY MADE IT...

425
00:42:52,100 --> 00:42:56,266
{\an8}SHE'S WON
THE WOMEN'S RACE.

426
00:43:09,600 --> 00:43:13,600
{\an1}ASCENDING PAST
EVEREST BASE CAMP,

427
00:43:13,600 --> 00:43:19,600
{\an1}THE MOUNTAIN BECOMES A DESOLATE
WORLD OF ROCK AND ICE.

428
00:43:22,100 --> 00:43:24,433
{\an1}IT SEEMS LIKE
AN IMPOSSIBLE PLACE

429
00:43:24,433 --> 00:43:27,600
{\an1}FOR ANYTHING TO LIVE,

430
00:43:27,600 --> 00:43:30,100
{\an1}BUT THERE IS LIFE.

431
00:43:32,100 --> 00:43:34,766
AT 22,000 FEET
IS AN ANIMAL

432
00:43:34,766 --> 00:43:40,100
{\an1}THAT LIVES AT A HIGHER ALTITUDE
THAN ANY OTHER IN THE WORLD,

433
00:43:40,100 --> 00:43:43,300
THE HIMALAYAN
JUMPING SPIDER.

434
00:43:43,300 --> 00:43:46,933
{\an1}AT LESS THAN A QUARTER
OF AN INCH LONG,

435
00:43:46,933 --> 00:43:53,700
{\an1}HE MAY BE TINY, BUT HE HAS
GIGANTIC SUPERPOWERS.

436
00:43:53,700 --> 00:43:59,200
{\an1}8 EYES GIVE HIM
360-DEGREE VISION.

437
00:43:59,200 --> 00:44:04,366
{\an1}HIS BODY CAN BE SUPER-COOLED
TO MINUS-4 DEGREES

438
00:44:04,366 --> 00:44:06,433
WITHOUT FREEZING.

439
00:44:08,466 --> 00:44:14,266
{\an1}AND TINY HOOKS ON HIS FEET
HELP HIM LEAP FROM ROCK...

440
00:44:14,266 --> 00:44:16,666
TO ROCK.

441
00:44:23,066 --> 00:44:26,866
{\an1}HE CAN JUMP 50 TIMES
HIS BODY LENGTH.

442
00:44:29,433 --> 00:44:34,100
{\an1}BUT HIS GREATEST ASSET
IS HIS SIZE.

443
00:44:36,100 --> 00:44:41,266
{\an1}BEING SO SMALL, HE HUGS
CLOSE TO THE ROCKS.

444
00:44:41,266 --> 00:44:43,433
{\an1}THEY'RE CHARGED
WITH THE SUN'S HEAT,

445
00:44:43,433 --> 00:44:48,100
{\an1}CREATING A ONE-INCH LAYER
OF WARM AIR...

446
00:44:48,100 --> 00:44:53,033
{\an1}THE PERFECT MICROCLIMATE
FOR A TINY HERO.

447
00:44:53,033 --> 00:44:55,033
[WIND BLOWING]

448
00:44:59,800 --> 00:45:05,600
{\an1}BUT HE'S MISSING
JUST ONE CRUCIAL THING.

449
00:45:05,600 --> 00:45:09,933
{\an1}UP HERE, THERE'S NOTHING
FOR HIM TO EAT.

450
00:45:13,433 --> 00:45:16,433
{\an1}HE RELIES ENTIRELY
ON STRAY INSECTS

451
00:45:16,433 --> 00:45:18,966
{\an1}BLOWN UP ON THE WIND.

452
00:45:25,433 --> 00:45:28,933
LITTLE TO EAT
AND TERRIBLE WEATHER...

453
00:45:28,933 --> 00:45:31,566
[WIND BLOWING]

454
00:45:31,566 --> 00:45:36,266
{\an1}IT SEEMS A STRANGE PLACE
TO MAKE A HOME.

455
00:45:36,266 --> 00:45:39,466
BUT THERE'S
A GOOD REASON.

456
00:45:40,933 --> 00:45:43,600
AS NOTHING ELSE
CAN LIVE UP HERE,

457
00:45:43,600 --> 00:45:46,066
THERE IS NOTHING
TO EAT HIM.

458
00:45:49,033 --> 00:45:54,033
{\an1}HE MIGHT BE TINY,
BUT UP HERE ON EVEREST,

459
00:45:54,033 --> 00:45:57,533
{\an1}HE'S THE TOP
OF THE FOOD CHAIN.

460
00:46:07,600 --> 00:46:12,266
ABOVE THE SPIDER,
AT 26,000 FEET,

461
00:46:12,266 --> 00:46:15,633
{\an1}THERE IS A REALM
WHERE NOTHING CAN LIVE.

462
00:46:22,900 --> 00:46:27,266
CLIMBERS CALL IT
"THE DEATH ZONE."

463
00:46:29,766 --> 00:46:34,800
{\an1}THE ONLY LIVING THINGS
THAT CAN CLIMB THIS HIGH

464
00:46:34,800 --> 00:46:39,766
{\an1}ARE HUMANS AIDED
BY MODERN TECHNOLOGY.

465
00:46:39,766 --> 00:46:45,266
{\an1}PAST THIS POINT,
THE OXYGEN LEVELS DROP SO LOW,

466
00:46:45,266 --> 00:46:48,600
{\an1}THE BODY STARTS TO DIE.

467
00:46:54,233 --> 00:46:58,033
{\an1}BATTLING RELENTLESS
EXHAUSTION...

468
00:47:00,100 --> 00:47:04,100
{\an1}THE CLIMBERS SUMMON
THEIR LAST PIECE OF COURAGE...

469
00:47:05,600 --> 00:47:08,933
{\an1}AND REACH THEIR PRIZE.

470
00:47:15,366 --> 00:47:18,266
[CHEERING]

471
00:47:20,100 --> 00:47:24,766
THEY'LL STAND
AT 29,029 FEET,

472
00:47:24,766 --> 00:47:28,100
THE HIGHEST POINT
ON THE PLANET.

473
00:47:31,600 --> 00:47:36,100
{\an1}BUT BOUND BY THE MOUNTAIN'S
EXTREME CONDITIONS,

474
00:47:36,100 --> 00:47:40,166
{\an1}THEY CAN ONLY REMAIN HERE
FOR 15 MINUTES.

475
00:47:55,933 --> 00:48:03,766
{\an1}FOR MANY, CLIMBING EVEREST
IS THEIR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT.

476
00:48:03,766 --> 00:48:07,000
{\an1}BUT FOR THOSE THAT LIVE THEIR
WHOLE LIVES IN THE HIMALAYA,

477
00:48:07,000 --> 00:48:12,100
{\an1}THERE IS PERHAPS
AN EVEN GREATER ACHIEVEMENT.

478
00:48:12,100 --> 00:48:15,600
{\an1}TO LIVE AMONGST THEM
AND TO FACE THE EXTREMES

479
00:48:15,600 --> 00:48:18,600
OF THE HIMALAYA
EVERY SINGLE DAY,

480
00:48:18,600 --> 00:48:22,100
{\an7}ONLY THEN CAN ONE GAIN
A TRUE UNDERSTANDING

481
00:48:22,100 --> 00:48:25,266
{\an7}OF THESE MOUNTAINS.

482
00:48:25,266 --> 00:48:28,600
NOWHERE IS THIS
BETTER SYMBOLIZED

483
00:48:28,600 --> 00:48:30,600
{\an1}THAN IN AN ANCIENT
BUDDHIST RITUAL

484
00:48:30,600 --> 00:48:35,266
{\an1}GOING BACK THOUSANDS
OF YEARS.

485
00:48:35,266 --> 00:48:38,133
AT THE CENTER
OF THIS RITUAL

486
00:48:38,133 --> 00:48:43,966
{\an1}IS THE VERY ROCK
OF THE HIMALAYA, CALCITE...

487
00:48:43,966 --> 00:48:47,600
{\an1}FORGED DEEP UNDER THE MOUNTAIN
MILLIONS OF YEARS AGO.

488
00:48:49,366 --> 00:48:53,433
{\an1}TIBETAN MONKS COLLECT IT
FROM THE MOUNTAIN SLOPES.

489
00:48:56,833 --> 00:49:00,533
{\an1}IT'S CRUSHED
INTO A FINE SAND...

490
00:49:00,533 --> 00:49:02,800
[CHANTING
AND BELLS RINGING]

491
00:49:07,066 --> 00:49:11,200
AND MIXED
WITH COLORED DYES.

492
00:49:21,500 --> 00:49:26,266
{\an1}GRAIN BY GRAIN,
THE GROUND-UP MOUNTAIN ROCK

493
00:49:26,266 --> 00:49:28,166
{\an1}IS PRECISELY PLACED.

494
00:49:35,533 --> 00:49:39,866
{\an1}THE MONKS GO INTO
A STATE OF MEDITATION.

495
00:49:53,933 --> 00:49:56,433
[MAN SPEAKING
NATIVE LANGUAGE]

496
00:50:17,100 --> 00:50:19,100
[WIND BLOWING]

497
00:50:36,633 --> 00:50:43,766
{\an1}THE HUMBLE CALCITE HAS BEEN
TRANSFORMED INTO A MASTERPIECE

498
00:50:43,766 --> 00:50:46,933
{\an1}CALLED A SAND MANDALA.

499
00:50:50,033 --> 00:50:54,033
{\an1}FOR BUDDHISTS, IT IS
A SYMBOLIC REPRESENTATION

500
00:50:54,033 --> 00:50:58,033
{\an1}OF THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE,

501
00:50:58,033 --> 00:51:02,266
{\an1}THE CENTER RUNNING
RIGHT THROUGH THE HIMALAYA.

502
00:51:06,766 --> 00:51:10,666
{\an1}IT HAS TAKEN YEARS OF STUDY
TO MASTER THE ART

503
00:51:10,666 --> 00:51:13,466
AND OVER 60 HOURS
OF INTENSE WORK.

504
00:51:15,100 --> 00:51:19,700
{\an1}THERE IS JUST ONE
LAST THING TO DO...

505
00:51:23,600 --> 00:51:25,166
DESTROY IT.

506
00:51:27,366 --> 00:51:33,200
{\an1}THIS FINAL ACT REPRESENTS
ONE OF BUDDHISM'S KEY BELIEFS,

507
00:51:33,200 --> 00:51:36,266
THAT NOTHING
LASTS FOREVER.

508
00:51:41,933 --> 00:51:44,033
NOWHERE IS THIS
MORE EVIDENT...

509
00:51:45,766 --> 00:51:48,600
{\an1}THAN IN THE HIMALAYA.

510
00:51:51,533 --> 00:51:56,066
{\an1}IN THIS LAND OF EXTREMES,
EVERYTHING IS GOVERNED

511
00:51:56,066 --> 00:51:59,933
{\an1}BY THE CYCLE OF CREATION
AND DESTRUCTION.

512
00:51:59,933 --> 00:52:04,300
{\an1}EVEN THE MOUNTAINS THEMSELVES
ARE NOT EXEMPT.

513
00:52:04,300 --> 00:52:09,433
{\an1}THE HIMALAYA ARE STILL
BEING CREATED,

514
00:52:09,433 --> 00:52:13,100
{\an1}RISING JUST UNDER
HALF AN INCH A YEAR,

515
00:52:13,100 --> 00:52:17,100
{\an1}AS THEY ARE ALSO CONTINUALLY
BEING DESTROYED...

516
00:52:20,266 --> 00:52:23,433
ERODED DOWN
BY THE EXTREME WEATHER

517
00:52:23,433 --> 00:52:26,033
{\an1}THAT THEY THEMSELVES
HELP CREATE.

518
00:52:30,100 --> 00:52:32,266
AND LIKE
THE SAND MANDALA,

519
00:52:32,266 --> 00:52:36,400
{\an1}THEY END IN THE RIVERS,
BEING WASHED OUT TO SEA.

520
00:52:40,100 --> 00:52:42,433
THOSE WHO CALL
THE HIMALAYA HOME

521
00:52:42,433 --> 00:52:47,100
{\an1}UNDERSTAND THE FLEETING NATURE
OF LIFE IN THESE MOUNTAINS.

522
00:52:48,333 --> 00:52:52,700
{\an1}THEY KNOW THAT IT IS POSSIBLE
TO OVERCOME THE EXTREMES

523
00:52:52,700 --> 00:52:55,866
BY SEIZING
EVERY OPPORTUNITY.

524
00:52:55,866 --> 00:53:00,200
{\an1}ONLY THEN CAN YOU
CARVE OUT A LIFE...

525
00:53:00,200 --> 00:53:03,266
ON THE ROOF
OF THE WORLD.

526
00:53:08,533 --> 00:53:10,700
{\an7}- [NARRATOR] NEXT TIME
ON KINGDOMS OF THE SKY.

527
00:53:12,200 --> 00:53:15,000
{\an1}THE EARTH'S LONGEST MOUNTAIN
RANGE SPANS THOUSANDS

528
00:53:15,100 --> 00:53:17,866
{\an1}OF MILES ALONG THE
BACKBONE OF SOUTH AMERICA.

529
00:53:19,700 --> 00:53:22,033
{\an1}BOASTING SOME OF THE
CONTINENTS MOST BEAUTIFUL

530
00:53:22,133 --> 00:53:23,933
{\an1}AND EXTRAORDINARY SCENERIES.

531
00:53:25,333 --> 00:53:28,700
{\an1}ALL WITH THEIR OWN UNIQUE
ADVENTURES AND PERILS.

532
00:53:30,566 --> 00:53:33,100
{\an1}ADDECTATION IS THE
KEY TO SURVIVING

533
00:53:34,266 --> 00:53:36,833
{\an7}THE DAUNTING LANDSCAPES
OF THE ANDES.

534
00:53:36,933 --> 00:53:43,200


535
00:53:44,000 --> 00:53:45,200
{\an8}"KINGDOMS OF THE SKY"

536
00:53:45,300 --> 00:53:47,033
{\an8}IS AVAILABLE ON
BLU-RAY AND DVD.

537
00:53:47,133 --> 00:53:49,633
{\an8}TO ORDER VISIT
SHOP.PBS.ORG

538
00:53:49,733 --> 00:53:52,100
{\an8}OR CALL
1-800-PLAY-PBS

539
00:53:52,200 --> 00:53:54,633
{\an8}THIS SERIES IS
ALSO AVAILABLE FOR
DOWNLOAD ON ITUNES.

540
00:53:54,733 --> 00:53:58,733