Maps of Movies

The Climbers (2019)

Where The Climbers says it takes place, and where it was really shot.

The north face of Everest on screen, and the one place where filming wrapped: on the mountain itself

Scenes and places

The 1960 push up Everest's North Face

Fang Wuzhou leads the first Chinese attempt on the North Face and has to choose between saving his teammate Qu Songlin and the camera in Qu's hand. The choice haunts the team when the feat is not recognised abroad.

Set in Mount Everest, North Face — In 1960 the Chinese team attempts the summit by the North Face, and acting leader Fang must choose between a teammate and the camera. Google Maps · Apple Maps

The north side of Everest is reached from Tibet and is the route the team climbs.

The training test that only Fang passes

The new generation of climbers faces a timed training challenge. Only Fang finishes it in time, so he becomes the team leader.

Set in 1975 team training ground (location not named in the film's plot) — In 1975 the regrouped team takes a timed training challenge, and only Fang finishes inside the time.

The film's plot does not name this place; Gangshiqia in Qinghai is where the lead actor trained and where Chinese Wikipedia says principal photography began.

Filmed at Gangshiqia Snow Peak, Menyuan, Qinghai — Wu Jing's cold-tolerance training ground before filming; Chinese Wikipedia says principal photography began here and in Tianjin in February 2019. Which scenes were shot here is not stated. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The big base camp of 1975

With government and military backing, a large base camp rises under the north face, and meteorologist Xu Ying becomes the team's eyes on the weather.

Set in Chinese expedition base camp, Everest north side — In 1975 a large base is set up for the climbers while Xu Ying sends constant weather updates.

The expedition's headquarters for the 1975 attempt, from which weather reports go up the mountain.

The monks who say turn back

Early injuries pile up, and local Tibetan monks tell the team not to disturb nature and to call off the climb. Fang pushes on with improvisation.

Set in Place of the monks' warning (not named in the plot) — Tibetan monks advise the injured team to call off the climb.

The plot gives no location for this meeting.

The storm that flattens the tents

A wind storm tears through the high camp, flattening the tents and wrecking Yang Guang's sleeping bag. Li Guoliang answers by planning a faster summit push.

Set in High camp on the north route (not named in the plot) — A wind storm knocks over the tents and ruptures Yang Guang's sleeping bag.

The plot gives no location for this camp beyond the north route.

The slip at the Second Step

At the Second Step the rope team is one slip away from disaster, and Yang Guang's quick reaction passes on the camera.

Set in Second Step, North-East Ridge of Everest — At the Second Step a slip and a falling oxygen cylinder put the whole rope team at risk.

A rock step high on Everest's north-east ridge, long known as the key obstacle on the route.

The last push to the summit

The climbers push for the top, with Xu Ying's weather reports as their only link to the ground.

Set in Everest summit — The group keeps climbing while listening to Xu's weather reports. Google Maps · Apple Maps

The highest point on Earth, on the China-Nepal border.

Characters

• Fang Wuzhou — Acting team leader of the 1960 attempt who becomes leader again in 1975.
• Xu Ying — A meteorology student turned meteorologist whose weather updates guide the 1975 team.
• Qu Songlin — Fang's teammate on the 1960 attempt and a leader of the 1975 team.
• Yang Guang — A young climber of the new generation, based on Xia Boyu.
• Li Guoliang — A climber experienced in photography who promises good pictures.

Questions answered on the map

• Where was The Climbers really filmed?
• Where did the cast train for The Climbers?