Russell Brice

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 . 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. http://thewildestdream.com/ 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 is also a o- 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

1990 – 91 Filming of paragliding, parachuting, ballooning and climbing in Chamonix, Namibia, Spain and Nepal.

1991 Project co-ordinator and cameraman for the “Balloon Over Everest” expedition.

1993 Guide, location manager, stuntman for Leo Dickinson, filming in Chamonix and Pakistan. Two TV documentaries, one about Doug Scott breaking his legs on the Orge, the other about Joe Simpson when his bivouac ledge fell off the Dru.

1994 Guide, location manager for Leo Dickinson on Everest. “One Foot On Everest”

1998 Project co-ordinator for Cable & Wireless around the world balloon flight. Several documentaries, one with National Geographic.

1999 Guide, location manager for BBC film team looking for Sandy Irvin on North Ridge of Everest.

2006 Tigress/Discovery documentary on Everest North side, Everest: Beyond the Limit

2007 BBC production in Chamonix, Earth: The Power of the Planet: Ice

2007 Tigress/Discovery documentary on Everest North side, Everest: Beyond the Limit, Season 2

2008 The Wildest Dream – Conrad Anker, produces Anthony Geffen

Owner of Chamonix Experience www.chamex.com and Himalayan Experience www.himex.com Partial owner of Mountain Experience www.mountainexperience.info

Co-Founder and Administrator of Friends of Humanity www.friendsofhumanity.ch

External links

References

Category:Living people Category:New Zealand mountain climbers Category:Summiters of Mount Everest Category:1952 births