Jimmy Chin and Jim Morrison Rappel Down ‘Everest: The Other Side’ Billboard in Stunt

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — National Geographic is taking the promotion of its documentary “Everest: The Other Side” to extraordinary heights—literally.

To celebrate the film’s theatrical release, Oscar-winning director Jimmy Chin and elite ski mountaineer Jim Morrison accepted a new challenge: rappelling down their own billboard.

On The Red Carpet spoke with the pair moments after they completed the daring stunt.

“This was pretty much just fun and enjoyable, and bigger than I thought it was going to be. Driving up, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is cool.’ I haven’t put all this stuff on for a long time. So these are actual skis and the whole setup is from my film,” Morrison said, gesturing toward his image on the billboard. “So it’s pretty cool to be back in a vertical world.”

The documentary chronicles Morrison’s deeply personal effort to become the first person to ski down Mount Everest’s North Face—the mountain’s most difficult and dangerous route, as well as one of the world’s most coveted ski lines.

Through the experience, Morrison hopes audiences will feel inspired to confront their own personal Everest.

“We’re all going to have our Everest in our lifetime, whether it’s the loss of somebody, or sickness of a friend, or a huge goal of yours, or a combination of those, and I hope people come out inspired and look forward to living their best life and putting one foot in front of another to achieve their best.”

Chin, who won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature for “Free Solo,” explained what attracted him to Morrison’s story.

“You know, the films that I’m interested in making always have a deep human story that I think connects people. And, you know, I hope people are really moved by the film and inspired by what we were able to do. And of course, as a filmmaker, also bring Everest to people in a way they’ve never seen it before.”

“Everest: The Other Side” is now playing in theaters and IMAX.

The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of National Geographic and this ABC station.