Teton Gravity Research captures the Himalayas in ultra HD March 03 2015

The Himalayas from 20,000 ft. from Teton Gravity Research on Vimeo.

The aerial cinema experts at Teton Gravity Research release the first ultra HD footage of the Himalayas shot from above 20,000 ft. with the GSS C520 system, the most advanced gyro-stabilized camera system in the world. Filmed from a helicopter with a crew flying from Kathmandu at 4,600 ft. up to 24,000 ft. on supplemental oxygen, these are some of the most stable, crisp, clear aerial shots of these mountains ever released, which include Mt. Everest, Ama Dablam, and Lhotse.

Sound design and mix by Jeff Cormack at Play+Record

Getting pictures from those really extreme heights isn’t just about having a fancy camera set up. It takes more than advanced optics because basically every piece of the mission hinges on meticulous prep, proper flight scheduling, and steady observation of how the surrounding atmosphere behaves. The air up in the mountains is thin, so it really pushes both the gear and the people, and that’s why physical awareness has to stay at the forefront during the whole trip. A lot of high-altitude workers use an oxygen finger monitor, not just as a nice add-on but to keep an eye on blood oxygen saturation while things get intense. Also, oxygen restriction training can prepare someone for lower-oxygen surroundings by building better acclimatization before arriving at high elevations. In the end, it’s the combination of modern aviation systems and very controlled preparation that lets teams capture the Himalayas with unusually crisp detail and still keep operations safe, even when you’re operating in one of the Earth’s toughest environments.