POV - Tommy Caldwell

Four American climbers on the adventure of a lifetime, Tommy Caldwell, 22, Beth Rodden, 20, Jason Smith, 22, and John Dickey, 25. They face the amazing climbs that the small country of Kyrgyzstan, in Central Asia, often referred to as the Yosemite of Asia, has to offer. But their action-packed adventure ended far too soon when they were kidnapped by members of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan on August 11, 2000. Forced to travel with the rebels throughout the nights following, they were treated harshly, sleeping in freezing caves during the day, surviving on only half a protein bar per day and hiking for up to 50 miles each night, they grew desperate. Their plans of the unthinkable playing out on the night of August 16. Here is my version of the true story that you only read in fiction.