In July 2024, Liv Sansoz climbed K2 without oxygen, before descending in a tandem paraglider with Zeb Roche. A world first, recounted in the film K2 mon amour. She looks back on this committed expedition, with its physical challenges, strong emotions and the human bonds forged at high altitude.
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Episode summary
In July 2024, Liv Sansoz completed an extraordinary ascent: climbing K2 without oxygen, before descending by tandem paraglider with Zeb Roche. A technical, physical and emotional feat, immortalized in the film K2 mon amour. In this episode, the mountaineer, climber, guide and paraglider looks back on this committed expedition, its preparation, its doubts and the power of the human bonds forged at high altitude.
The dream of K2
Liv Sansoz already knew the Himalayas well. But the K2 remained a summit apart. She dreamed about it, but didn’t necessarily plan to attempt it one day. The project was the brainchild of her partner Zeb Roche. The idea of a duo expedition, including a paragliding descent, gave a special meaning to the adventure. “It started with this slightly crazy idea of saying ‘we could go to K2 together and come back down by paraglider’.”
A committed expedition
K2 is considered one of the most difficult and dangerous peaks in the world. Liv knows this, and she doesn’t take it lightly. “I had enormous respect for the mountain, for that particular summit, and quite honestly I was a bit scared.” She chooses to climb without oxygen, which adds an extra level of difficulty.
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The experience proved to be a trying one. Physically, of course, but also mentally. The altitude exhausts her, the hypoxia slows her down, the nights are rough, the decisions heavy with consequences. But they moved forward, slowly, and reached the summit together. “I don’t think I fully realize that I’m on the summit of K2. And I’m also in a state where I want to come down really fast.”
An aerial descent
The plan was clear from the outset: to attempt a tandem paragliding descent from K2. A first. But conditions were uncertain and the weather changeable. In the end, Zeb and Liv took off together, clinging to their glider, for an unprecedented, intense and magnificent descent. “That flight, it was so strong… It’s a moment I’m going to keep very, very strong in my heart.”
A film to share
The result of this adventure is a film: K2 mon amour. A sensitive and personal documentary, focused on the human experience rather than the performance. Liv insists on this intention: “I wanted us to tell our story. What we experienced, what we went through, what thrilled us, what scared us.”
The film premiered at the Chamonix Film Festival to great acclaim, and is now available for streaming.
A quest for meaning
More than the summit, it’s the inner adventure that marks Liv. She also talks about her relationship with the mountains, her commitment and her desire to share rather than prove. “Today, I don’t need to go looking for performance. I need to experience things that move me.”
Follow Liv and get your festival tickets
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livsansoz/
- Chamonix Film Festival: https://www.chamonixfilmfestival.fr/