Episode description

Olympic rower Helen Glover champions the life of mountaineer Alison Hargreaves.

Alison's short life was defined by her love of the mountains. She became interested in climbing as a teenager and devoted her life to pursuing ever greater challenges.

She was the first woman to climb Mount Everest without oxygen and unsupported - before losing her life on the infamous K2 mountain in Pakistan in 1995.

Presented by Matthew Parris - with the help of Alison's biographer, Ed Douglas.

Producer: Maggie Ayre

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2018.