Final Ascent: The Legend of Hamish MacInnes

The tale of Hamish MacInnes is one of early achievements. At just 16, he conquered the Matterhorn, and by 17, he had constructed his first car from the ground up. In 1953, he and his friend Johnny Cunningham nearly reached the summit of Everest before Hillary and Tenzing claimed it. Renowned as an explorer, expedition leader, and engineer, MacInnes gained international recognition. He invented the all-metal ice axe, authored the International Mountain Rescue Handbook, and established the Glencoe Mountain Rescue, saving countless lives in the process. However, at 84, despite his impressive legacy, he found himself involuntarily committed to a psychiatric facility, battling delirium. After a period in a psychogeriatric ward in the Scottish Highlands, during which he frequently attempted to escape, he emerged with his memory erased. This film chronicles his life, paralleling his most significant challenge: the quest to reclaim his memories and save himself.