Mountain Mayhem: Honoring David Breashears

David Breashears, an accomplished mountaineer, award-winning filmmaker, author, father, brother, and friend, was honored on June 8 at a Puja ceremony held in the Ashcroft Valley. As noted on the invitation, “the tradition of blessing expeditions is a deeply-spiritual and cultural event for Sherpas and climbers. Puja may also celebrate the memory of a beloved friend.”

Climbers, filmmakers, and Sherpas were among those who gathered for the offering of light, flowers, and water presented by Lama Geshe Lobsang Tsultrim to celebrate the extraordinary life of Breashears who passed away in March.

Perhaps best known as the director and cinematographer of “Everest,” which was released in 1998, he achieved great success with the film that went on to become the highest-grossing IMAX documentary. He was also recognized for his instrumental role in aiding in the rescue efforts of the 1996 Everest disaster that occurred during the film’s production.

Film and television producer John Wilcox, who worked with him on various projects and expeditions over the years, hosted the Puja at his property, set around a stupa, a mound-like structure made of rocks and wrapped with prayer flags. 

“Geoffrey Rockwell was the creative force behind ‘Star Peak Stupa,'” noted Wilcox of their mutual friend who was in attendance. “He handpicked hundreds of rocks from across the valley” for the tribute.

“David was right at home when he visited Ashcroft because he was truly a man of the mountains reaching the summit of Mt. Everest five times,” Wilcox added.

“He first worked with me in 1979 on Ama Dablam. In 1981, on Everest’s east face with our expedition that included Sir Edmund Hillary. In 1983, David carried the camera while a Sherpa team carried the transmitter/batteries, and the world saw the first broadcast from the summit of Everest and the first American reaching the summit without oxygen. The IMAX film he directed became legendary for filmmaking,” he continued. 

“He directed many other mountain films and supported Sherpa schools and hospitals and was a motivational speaker on global warming. David and I shared success because of the extraordinary Sherpa community and our friends from the United Sherpa Association of Colorado came to Ashcroft to pay tribute to David,” he added.

Knowing that many of Breashears’ filmmaking and climbing friends and his son, Finn Clark, lived in Colorado, Wilcox was honored to help bring guests together. Following the ceremony was a reception with hearty Sherpa stew, enjoyed in the sun with views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks.