Russell Brice
Encyclopedia
Russell Reginald Brice is a New Zealand
mountaineer
. He is also the owner/manager of Himalayan Experience Ltd., a climbing expedition company. He has summited Cho Oyu
9 times, Himal Chuli and Mount Everest
(May 1997, May 1998) twice, as well as other 8000m peaks, including Manaslu (where Himalayan Experience now takes expeditions) in October 2010, which was his 14th summit of an 8000m peak. In 1988, Brice and Harry Taylor
were the first climbers to successfully climb the Pinnacles on Everest's Northeast Ridge. He has been leading expeditions to the Himalayas since 1974.
Brice is best-known for leading the 2006 and 2007 and 2009 expeditions on Everest which were filmed by the Discovery Channel
for three seasons of a series titled Everest: Beyond the Limit
. The series touts Brice's experience, weather savvy, and professionalism compared to other groups on the mountain. Following the first season, Brice became part of a controversy over the death of climber David Sharp, who was found in a weakened state high on the mountain by Brice's climbers but was deemed impossible to save.
In the series, Brice says about 80% of his "mates" have died during his climbing career. Mark Jennings, UK, died in 1998 on Everest. Brice found his body at 8,200 meters. Michael Rheinberger was also one of Brice's good friends. His body remains on Everest after he died there in 1994. Rob Hall
, who died on the mountain in the 1996 disaster
was also a friend.
Brices' expertise has also been used for many filming projects in the Himalaya, most recently for 'The Wildest Dream', the story of George Mallory and the expedition to locate his body which was discovered by Conrad Anker. Directed by Anthony Geffen and narrated by Liam Neeson, with Ralph Fiennes, Natasha Richardson, Hugh Dancy and Alan Rickman, the film was released in 2010.
Brice and his company Himalayan Experience provided all of the logistics necessary for the 2 month filming process, the film crew used his Everest Base Camp in Nepal and benefited from the experience of his Sherpa team who helped carrying film equipment, and who made much of the high altitude filming possible.
Brice's expertise has also been used for filming logistics for the series Planet Earth, and the film Touching the Void.
Brice is well known and admired in the Himalaya for the medical assistance which he provides to many of his competitors and other international climbers, as well as often being the first to be called for help for mounting rescue attempts.
Brice is also a co-founder of Friends of Humanity - a Geneva-based non-profit organization supporting initiatives and projects in four key areas:
In 1991 Brice was Project co-ordinator for the 'Balloon Over Everest Expedition', successfully flying two hot air balloons over Everest, in 1998 was logistics co-ordinator for the Cable and Wireless project 'Balloon Around The World' and in 2003 was logistics co-ordinator for the QinetiQ “Balloon to the Edge of Space” Project.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
mountaineer
Mountaineering
Mountaineering or mountain climbing is the sport, hobby or profession of hiking, skiing, and climbing mountains. While mountaineering began as attempts to reach the highest point of unclimbed mountains it has branched into specialisations that address different aspects of the mountain and consists...
. He is also the owner/manager of Himalayan Experience Ltd., a climbing expedition company. He has summited Cho Oyu
Cho Oyu
Cho Oyu is the sixth highest mountain in the world at above sea level. Cho Oyu lies in the Himalayas and is 20 km west of Mount Everest, at the border between China and Nepal...
9 times, Himal Chuli and Mount Everest
Mount Everest
Mount Everest is the world's highest mountain, with a peak at above sea level. It is located in the Mahalangur section of the Himalayas. The international boundary runs across the precise summit point...
(May 1997, May 1998) twice, as well as other 8000m peaks, including Manaslu (where Himalayan Experience now takes expeditions) in October 2010, which was his 14th summit of an 8000m peak. In 1988, Brice and Harry Taylor
Harry Taylor
Harry Taylor may refer to:* Harry Taylor , played for the Louisville Colonels and Baltimore Orioles* Harry Taylor , played for the Chicago Cubs...
were the first climbers to successfully climb the Pinnacles on Everest's Northeast Ridge. He has been leading expeditions to the Himalayas since 1974.
Brice is best-known for leading the 2006 and 2007 and 2009 expeditions on Everest which were filmed by the Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel is an American satellite and cable specialty channel , founded by John Hendricks and distributed by Discovery Communications. It is a publicly traded company run by CEO David Zaslav...
for three seasons of a series titled Everest: Beyond the Limit
Everest: Beyond the Limit
Everest: Beyond the Limit is a Discovery Channel reality television series about yearly attempts to summit Mount Everest organized and led by New Zealander Russell Brice.-Plot summary:...
. The series touts Brice's experience, weather savvy, and professionalism compared to other groups on the mountain. Following the first season, Brice became part of a controversy over the death of climber David Sharp, who was found in a weakened state high on the mountain by Brice's climbers but was deemed impossible to save.
In the series, Brice says about 80% of his "mates" have died during his climbing career. Mark Jennings, UK, died in 1998 on Everest. Brice found his body at 8,200 meters. Michael Rheinberger was also one of Brice's good friends. His body remains on Everest after he died there in 1994. Rob Hall
Rob Hall
Rob Hall , a native of New Zealand, was a mountaineer best known for being head guide of a 1996 Mount Everest expedition in which he, a fellow guide, and two clients perished. A best-selling account of the expedition was given in Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air...
, who died on the mountain in the 1996 disaster
1996 Everest Disaster
The 1996 Mount Everest disaster refers to the events of 10-11 May 1996, when eight people died on Mount Everest during summit attempts. In the entire season, fifteen people died trying to reach the summit, making it the deadliest single year in Mount Everest's history...
was also a friend.
Brices' expertise has also been used for many filming projects in the Himalaya, most recently for 'The Wildest Dream', the story of George Mallory and the expedition to locate his body which was discovered by Conrad Anker. Directed by Anthony Geffen and narrated by Liam Neeson, with Ralph Fiennes, Natasha Richardson, Hugh Dancy and Alan Rickman, the film was released in 2010.
Brice and his company Himalayan Experience provided all of the logistics necessary for the 2 month filming process, the film crew used his Everest Base Camp in Nepal and benefited from the experience of his Sherpa team who helped carrying film equipment, and who made much of the high altitude filming possible.
Brice's expertise has also been used for filming logistics for the series Planet Earth, and the film Touching the Void.
Brice is well known and admired in the Himalaya for the medical assistance which he provides to many of his competitors and other international climbers, as well as often being the first to be called for help for mounting rescue attempts.
Personal
Brice married Anne-Caroline Rémond, a French journalist (with French magazine Tele Star), on 3 December 2005, and also owns Chamonix Experience, based in Chamonix in the French Alps and Mountain Experience, based in Nepal.Brice is also a co-founder of Friends of Humanity - a Geneva-based non-profit organization supporting initiatives and projects in four key areas:
- Human rights and dignity
- Education and training
- Healthcare and medicine (including alternative medicine)
- Environmental protection and conservation
In 1991 Brice was Project co-ordinator for the 'Balloon Over Everest Expedition', successfully flying two hot air balloons over Everest, in 1998 was logistics co-ordinator for the Cable and Wireless project 'Balloon Around The World' and in 2003 was logistics co-ordinator for the QinetiQ “Balloon to the Edge of Space” Project.
Filmography
- The Last Ridge On Everest (1988) HTV documentary of successful crossing of “The Pinnacles” on the Northeast Ridge of Everest. Filmed about 60% of the total footage used.
- Unknown Title (1990) Filming of paragliding, parachuting, ballooning and climbing in Chamonix, Namibia, Spain and Nepal.
- Ballooning Over Everest (1991) Project co-ordinator and cameraman for the “Balloon Over Everest” expedition.
- Unknown Title (1993) Guide, location manager, stuntman for Leo Dickinson, filming in Chamonix and Pakistan.
- Unknown Title (1993) TV Documentary about Doug Scott breaking his legs on the Orge
- Unknown Title (1993) TV Documentary about Joe Simpson when his bivouac ledge fell of the Dru.
- One Foot On Everest (1994) Guide, location manager for Leo Dickinson on Everest.
- Unknown Title (1998) Project co-ordinator for Cable & Wireless around the world balloon flight. Several documentaries, one with National Geographic.
- Unknown Title (1999) Guide, location manager for BBC film team looking for Sandy Irvin on North Ridge of Everest.
- Expedition Journal (1999)
- Death on Everest (2003)
- After the Climb (2003)
- Everest: Beyond the LimitEverest: Beyond the LimitEverest: Beyond the Limit is a Discovery Channel reality television series about yearly attempts to summit Mount Everest organized and led by New Zealander Russell Brice.-Plot summary:...
(2006) Season 1 - Earth: The Power of the PlanetEarth: The Power of the PlanetEarth: The Power of the Planet is a British documentary television series that premiered on BBC Two on 20 November 2007. The five-part series is presented by geologist Iain Stewart. In the United States, the series was broadcast on the National Geographic Channel as Earth: The Biography...
(2007) BBC production in Chamonix, Ice episode - Everest: Beyond the LimitEverest: Beyond the LimitEverest: Beyond the Limit is a Discovery Channel reality television series about yearly attempts to summit Mount Everest organized and led by New Zealander Russell Brice.-Plot summary:...
(2007) Season 2 - The Wildest DreamThe Wildest DreamThe Wildest Dream is a 2010 theatrical-release feature documentary film about the British climber George Mallory who disappeared on Mount Everest in 1924 with his climbing partner Andrew Irvine...
(2008) Starring Conrad AnkerConrad AnkerConrad Anker is an American rock climber, mountaineer, and author famous for his challenging ascents in the high Himalaya and Antarctica. He is a member of The North Face climbing team and also works closely with Timex Expedition as brand ambassador...
. Produced and directed by Anthony Geffen
External links
- Russell Brice Biography on Himalayan Experience website
- Himalayan Experience Website
- Altitude Everest Expedition 2007
- Article about David Sharp on Explorers Web
- Russell Brice at the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...