"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.
