Some of the best mountaineering documentaries can be found on Youtube.

Mountaineering documentaries can be really hard to find and source. Often, these films are either out of circulation, cannot be rented or require a vault subscription to their original production channel. Thankfully, some of the best mountaineering documentaries can be found on YouTube.

Miracle on Everest

The documentary Miracle on Everest detailed the story of Lincoln Hall. During his expedition to Everest in 2006, he began to suffer from hypoxia, a common high altitude sickness.

After he began to behave irrationally, he collapsed. Hall fought Sherpas who tried to save him, unzipped his down suit and survived a night on Everest unprotected. He was found alive the next day, still sitting cross-legged on the mountainside. Click above to watch on YouTube, or watch below.

Touching the Void

The docufilm Touching the Void recounts the disastrous expedition of Joe Simpson and his partner Simon Yates on the West Face of the Siula Grande in Peru.

Joe fell into a crevasse still hanging from the rope that tied him to Simon. After many hours, Simon cut the rope. Joe miraculously survived for days in the crevasse before making it out alive. Click above to watch on YouTube, or watch below.

You can also purchase the book by the same name, Touching the Void on Amazon. Or, rent/buy the film on Amazon as well.

Sir Edmund Hillary – The Race for Everest

This iconic film recounts the historic first ascent of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953. The expedition was almost unsuccessful, and the two men who summited that day weren’t supposed to. Yet, they went down in history because of a twist of fate. Click above to watch on YouTube, or watch below.

Beyond the Edge – First Ascent of Mount Everest

This one is one of our favorites. Beyond the Edge – First Ascent of Mount Everest also tells the story of the first ascent of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953.

It is a vivid film, with rare footage of the entire expedition. Beyond the Edge – First Ascent of Mount Everest mixed dramatized portrayals of the expedition, coupled with actual footage.

Mont Blanc – The Murderer Summer

On 12 July 2012, an avalanche mowed down 25 climbers on Mont Blanc. Only one filmmaker was present during the event. Through his lens, we get to see the dramatic rescue effort and the revelation of the victims of this treacherous natural disaster.

IMAX The Alps – Eiger North Face

In Imax The Alps – The North Face of the Eiger, we follow John Harlin as he attempts to climb the North Face of the Eiger, one of the world’s most dangerous climbs.

If you’re interested in other films like this, take a look at our list of the 1996 Everest Disaster documentaries on YouTube and K2 documentaries on YouTube.

Also, check out our selection of must-read books about climbing disasters.

Links Not Working? Video Removed?

These links to YouTube videos are regularly updated. Some are removed and reuploaded. If you come across this article and notice any of the links are broken or the videos have been removed, please leave us a comment to let us know. We’ll update them.