Uploaded October 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
"109° BELOW", an Arc’teryx film, tells the gripping true story of a 1982 mountain rescue on Mount Washington—often called the coldest place on earth due to its extreme weather. Caught in a brutal storm during a winter hiking trip, 17-year-old Hugh Herr and his partner became stranded in deadly conditions, triggering a heroic alpine rescue attempt. The mission, carried out by elite volunteers, ended in tragedy with the death of rescuer Albert Dow, while both climbers suffered severe frostbite.
This powerful survival story explores the harsh realities of mountaineering dangers and extreme cold survival. Featuring Herr, Joe Lentini, and Alexa Siegel, the film connects a climbing accident to the birth of transformative innovation: Herr’s eventual work in MIT Biomechatronics, reshaping prosthetics for athletes. Blending themes of hiking safety, mountain rescue, and human resilience, "109° BELOW" stands out as a raw and moving tribute to those who risk everything in unforgiving conditions.
Featuring:
Hugh Herr, Joe Lentini, and Alexa Siegel
Director:
Nick Martini Producer: Sarah Stewart, Lex Hinson
Production Company:
Stept Studios
DP:
Cam Riley
Editor:
Joseph Fletcher
🛒 Shop Arc'teryx: arcteryx.com
0:00 Introduction
0:35 The World’s Worst Weather
1:10 Rescue Crew Steps Up
4:10 Hugh Herr’s 1982 Climbing Accident
5:47 Rescue Team Mobilizes
6:38 Avalanche Strikes – A Tragic Loss
7:58 Hugh Herr’s Survival & Amputation
9:52 Turning Tragedy into Innovation
11:55 Honoring Albert Dow’s Legacy
12:42 Final Thoughts: Lessons from the Mountains
#arcteryx #arcteryxpresents #mountainrescue #mountwashington
"109° BELOW", an Arc’teryx film, tells the gripping true story of a 1982 mountain rescue on Mount Washington—often called the coldest place on earth due to its extreme weather. Caught in a brutal storm during a winter hiking trip, 17-year-old Hugh Herr and his partner became stranded in deadly conditions, triggering a heroic alpine rescue attempt. The mission, carried out by elite volunteers, ended in tragedy with the death of rescuer Albert Dow, while both climbers suffered severe frostbite.
This powerful survival story explores the harsh realities of mountaineering dangers and extreme cold survival. Featuring Herr, Joe Lentini, and Alexa Siegel, the film connects a climbing accident to the birth of transformative innovation: Herr’s eventual work in MIT Biomechatronics, reshaping prosthetics for athletes. Blending themes of hiking safety, mountain rescue, and human resilience, "109° BELOW" stands out as a raw and moving tribute to those who risk everything in unforgiving conditions.
Featuring:
Hugh Herr, Joe Lentini, and Alexa Siegel
Director:
Nick Martini Producer: Sarah Stewart, Lex Hinson
Production Company:
Stept Studios
DP:
Cam Riley
Editor:
Joseph Fletcher
🛒 Shop Arc'teryx: arcteryx.com
0:00 Introduction
0:35 The World’s Worst Weather
1:10 Rescue Crew Steps Up
4:10 Hugh Herr’s 1982 Climbing Accident
5:47 Rescue Team Mobilizes
6:38 Avalanche Strikes – A Tragic Loss
7:58 Hugh Herr’s Survival & Amputation
9:52 Turning Tragedy into Innovation
11:55 Honoring Albert Dow’s Legacy
12:42 Final Thoughts: Lessons from the Mountains
#arcteryx #arcteryxpresents #mountainrescue #mountwashington
