Top Of The World Comes To Spokane Imax Premiere Includes Noted Sherpa Climber

The top of the world is ready to hit the bigger big screen in April, and viewers who act fast can get a seat for the premier showing at Spokane’s Riverfront Park.

Tickets went on sale last week for up to 280 viewers to see the March 20 premier of the IMAX film “Everest.”

The premiere will include a slide show presented before the film’s screening by Jamling Tenzing Norgay, the leader of the 1996 IMAX filming expedition.

Norgay is the son of Tenzing Norgay, the Sherpa guide who joined with Edmund Hillary to make the first ascent of Everest in 1953.

The Sherpas are an ethnic group that migrated centuries ago into the Himalayan Mountains from Tibet.

The younger Norgay was one of three in the 1996 expedition to reach the summit of the world’s highest peak.

He also is one of 10 Norgay family members who have stood on the summit.

The IMAX film “Everest” will begin its regular show schedule at Riverfront Park on April 4.

The 44-minute movie is extraordinary for many reasons: The 53-foot-tall IMAX screen will give viewers an uncommon sense of the hugeness of the world’s highest peak.

Climbing the 29,028-foot peak is difficult enough without hauling a 30-pound IMAX camera and a ton of the large-format film needed to capture the ordeal.

While the IMAX expedition was on the mountain, a fierce storm claimed the lives of eight climbers, the most tragic single day in the history of Everest climbing.

Several books and a TV movie have told the story of that tragedy.

The March 20 premiere will begin at 5:30 p.m. with appetizers catered by Patsy Clark’s. Tickets cost $15 and may be purchased at Mountain Gear or G&B ticket locations.

Once the film begins its regular run, tickets may be purchased before each showing at $5.50 for those 13 and over or $4.50 for those 12 and younger or seniors 55 and older.

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