National Geographic & Rolex
Perpetual Planet Everest
MOTION
STILLS
On Location
Mount Everest, Nepal
Himalayan high-altitude environments (including the death zone)
Project Brief
Fisher Creative was selected to lead and capture media for the National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet Everest Expedition—the most comprehensive single scientific expedition ever conducted on Mount Everest, designed to advance global understanding of climate change in the high Himalaya.
Client: National Geographic
Brand Partner: Rolex
Project: Scientific expedition documentation for the Perpetual Planet Everest Expedition
Objective: Document groundbreaking climate and environmental research on Mount Everest for global audiences
Audience: Global audiences, science and conservation communities, and documentary viewers
Timeline: Two-month high-altitude expedition (April–June 2019) preceded by X months of planning
Scope: Full expedition media capture across Everest Base Camp, high camps, and the summit region
What We Did
Led pre-production planning, story development, and expedition-wide media execution for the Perpetual Planet Everest Expedition
Directed and coordinated media efforts alongside a team of 40+ international scientists, working in parallel with active research
Managed complex logistics and shoot production across Everest Base Camp, high camps, and summit-level operations
Captured photography and cinematography at extreme altitude, including work conducted in the death zone
Supported storytelling across scientific research, environmental observation, and human experience
Our Approach
Embedded media team within a large-scale scientific expedition operating in extreme environments
Balanced scientific accuracy with cinematic storytelling for global audiences
Deployed highly experienced high-altitude cinematographers capable of operating safely above 8,000 meters
Prioritized reliability, endurance, and precision in one of the world’s most unforgiving filming environments
Execution Highlights
Operated for over two months in high-altitude Himalayan conditions
Supported documentation of the largest single scientific research expedition ever conducted on Mount Everest
Coordinated media capture alongside 40+ glaciologists, geologists, meteorologists, and mappers
Documented the installation of the two highest weather stations in the world
Captured the recovery of the highest ice core ever recorded
Filmed in extreme cold, thin air, and high-risk terrain, including the death zone, requiring exceptional physical and technical endurance
Impact
Scientific & Storytelling Impact:
Enabled global audiences to witness landmark climate research conducted at Earth’s highest elevations
Supported National Geographic’s and Rolex’s Perpetual Planet initiative through rigorous, expedition-based storytelling focused on climate change in the Hindu Kush–Himalaya region
Contributed to a broad suite of National Geographic editorial coverage, including feature articles, short-form videos, and documentary content
Contributed to a broad suite of National Geographic storytelling, including feature articles, short-form videos, and documentary content
Distribution:
Expedition storytelling was released across National Geographic magazine, digital platforms, and video channels, reaching global audiences through multiple formats
The feature documentary, Expedition Everest, is available globally on Disney+
Creative Support Squad
Mark Fisher: DP, High Altitude Cinematographer, Summit Team
Eric Daft: High Altitude Cinematographer, Summit Team
Dirk Collins: High Altitude Cinematographer, Summit Team
Brittany Mumma: Cinematographer, DIT
Client Perspective
“Mark Fisher and the Fisher Creative team are a highly talented force of creative storytellers and technical athletes who are well-matched for filmmaking in extreme environments. I was fortunate to collaborate closely with Mark on the National Geographic x Rolex Expedition to document the largest climate change study on Mt. Everest from April to June of 2019. Working with the Fisher Creative team on the two month expedition was invaluable in capturing the essence and complexities of the project; their work ethic, dedication, and endurance comes unmatched in the industry and I look forward to working together again!”
— Tyler Dinley, Producer, National Geographic Society
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