Wed, 23 June 2010
As a child, Freddie Wilkinson was fascinated by K2 and the adventure narratives from 8,000 meter peaks. It led to an incredible career as an alpinist seeking out difficult routes on obscure peaks across the globe, but his interest in climbing the trophy peaks waned. In August 2008, 11 climbers lost their lives on K2. The ensuing media frenzy was just that -- a frenzy. Facts were hazy and right from the start people began making broad generalizations even though the details had yet to emerge. Something about it pissed Freddie off and stirred his curiosity. What really happened up there? Freddie started asking questions and in the process he found himself chasing an incredible story. You don't need a journalism degree or a press pass to be a reporter. All it takes is a little New England "Can Do Spirit" and curiosity that won't rest. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN Comments[11]
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- I loved this episode, one of my favorites -- nice work, Freddie & Fitz. Contrary to Russ's feelings, I loved the story behind it, with Freddie's motivations and interest, how it came to be. I can read the book (just got it, can't wait to dig in). I'm not looking for a 30-min Cliff's Notes podcast on it, but perhaps my already being familiar with the K2 story reflects that. I always love the "story behind the story," which can take many forms, including knowing a bit about the author and his motivations. Loved it!
- Great episode Fitz, looks like I have another high altitude book for the must read list. Russ it kind of seems to me that you have the Dirtbag Diaries all wrong. The interview was with Freddie, so it is his story that we were enlightened to hear. Maybe had the interview been with someone who had survived the tragedy you would have gotten the insight you seek. It sounds as though this new book will answer your curiosities as well as mine. Anyway keep up the great work!
- Like I said, Freddie's book is where you want to go for that analysis and it sounds like you are headed in that direction. In regards to the story, thanks for registering your opinion. Ultimately, I drive these stories and yes I'm interested in the process and a lot of listeners have been asking about how you become a keeper of our community's stories and this episode lays out a clear path. Obviously, it sounds like you've got an interest in k2 and what happened up there, so then what separates your curiosity from Freddie's. Why does one person just merely become interested and another nearly obsessed? How come he went on to write a book? Those questions interest me.
- I'm going to read it. I've been waiting for this book. But I could really care less about the writer's motives. Who cares about his career dilemma? I wanted more info on the story of the 2008 K2 disaster and how it compares to the initial reporting I read then.
- Thanks everyone for the input. Slobby, yes Freddie and I did go to high school together. We even ran cross country together and I believe we participated in some sort of save the earth club benefit where we went through trash bins to find recyclables. Sadly, Freddie and I weren't really close friends in high school -- we were a year apart in a pretty decent size school and while we shared similar intrests I can't say I knew freddie all that well...bummer right? I still have nightmares about that place where they discover that I haven't fulfilled some credit and I need to go back to finish math and I can't leave me dorm after ten and can't have a beer. Terrifying. I made it a point to never work that hard again in my life. School on Saturday...wtf.
Russ, that's what the story was. How does someone decide they are going to become a journalist. Why does someone drop everything they are doing and pursue a story...that's my take on it. Freddie's book is where you should go for an incredible run down of the events. There is no way to cover that in a 30 minute podcast. Seriously...read it and you will understand. Most books get written quicker than that, based on the economics of the publishing industry. You gotta eat and so do the publishers. There have already been a few books on the K2 event. Freddie's is the most comprehensive and took the longest to create. It shows. The research and time he put into it are incredible. - Thanks for another great story Fitz (and Freddie). Keep up the good work.
For those who are interested, here are some relevant links (hope they show up right)...
The NY Times op-ed that pissed Freddie off:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/10/opinion/10isserman.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=maurice+isserman&st=nyt
The Huffington Post piece:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/freddie-wilkinson/heroes-in-fine-print_b_143262.html
Amazon link to the book:
http://www.amazon.com/One-Mountain-Thousand-Summits-Tragedy/dp/0451231198/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277396823&sr=8-1 - This piece should have simply focused on the story of the conflicting accounts, new information, and arguments about the disaster in the book. Skip the framing of it as a journalistic odyssey by the writer. The podcasts's weird focus on the writer's motivation will just be confusing for anyone who's actually interested in the facts of the incident as they're understood now, after several years of testimony and various investigations.
Also, a decent nonfiction book exploring something like this would take about two years to develop. That's pretty standard and doesn't really seem like evidence of the single minded journalistic obsession of the writer or whatever to me.
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