MIAMI, April 13, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Discovery en Español gives viewers an up-close look at the deadliest avalanche ever recorded on the mountain in SHERPA, HÉROES DEL EVEREST. Airing in more than 220 countries and territories, the BAFTA-nominated production chronicles the tragedy itself as well as changes made to the climbing industry in response to the disaster and the struggle for recognition of the Sherpa community. SHERPA, HÉROES DEL EVEREST premieres Sunday, April 24 at 9PM E/P during the Discovery a Fondo (#Afondo) block.
Boiling unrest in the Sherpa community, which culminated at a highly-publicized confrontation between Western climbers and a group of Sherpas, brought Director Jennifer Peedom to the base of Everest. While capturing the shifting dynamics of Everest climbing culture and Sherpa Phurba Tashi’s world record-breaking attempt to summit the mountain, Peedom’s team witnessed the single deadliest day in the mountain’s history.
On April 18, 2014, a massive avalanche tore through the Khumbu Icefall, killing 16 Sherpas. Considered the worst tragedy in the history of Everest, the avalanche sparked a debate about the vital and uncredited role of the Sherpa guides in helping climbers up the mountain. SHERPA, HÉROES DEL EVEREST captures the exact moment the disaster struck and the struggle of a community united in grief and anger, as they reclaim the respected mountain they call Chomolungma.
The documentary also exposes the Sherpas’ precarious working conditions and their demands that the government help improve their dangerous line of employment. Ultimately, they must decide whether to continue their climb to provide for their families, or to cancel the season out of respect for themselves and those who lost their lives in the avalanche.
“Director Jennifer Peedom has skillfully captured an underexposed community in its momentous journey through hardship and obstacles,” said Angela Recio Sondon, Vice President of Content for Discovery en Español. “The documentary SHERPA, HÉROES DEL EVEREST has the ability to inspire positive change for the surrounding Everest communities and will forever alter how audiences see the mountain.”
SHERPA, HÉROES DEL EVEREST was produced by Bridget Ikin, co-founder of Felix Media, a leading independent film and television company in Australia, and John Smithson, Joint Creative Director of Arrow Media in the UK. For Discovery Channel, John Hoffman served as Executive Vice President of Documentaries and Specials with Jon Bardin as Director of Development and Production of Documentaries and Specials.
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About Discovery en Español
Discovery en Español connects Spanish-speaking viewers in the U.S. to the world and all its wonder and possibilities. It provides quality programming focusing on bold storytelling across core genres including adventure, ingenuity, natural history, investigation and current affairs. Created by Discovery Communications, Discovery en Español is widely distributed on Hispanic tier packages throughout the country. For more information, please follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/discoveryenespanol, Twitter @DiscoveryenESP and Instagram @discoveryenespanol.
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