Inspired by the real-life expedition of Chinese climbers Wang Fuzhou, Gonpo and Qu Yinhua. In 1960, they made history when they became the first Chinese team to successfully climb Mount Everest's perilous North Ridge. On their way down from the mountain, which they only did after placing a small statue of Chairman Mao atop the summit, they stopped midway to rescue a fourth member of their team, who was unable to finish the climb.