Bill Paxton stars as Elliott Vaughn, a wealthy entrepreneur whose ill-fated climb up K2 prompts a rescue mission.

Nicholas Lea plays Tom McLaren, leader of Vaughn's expedition.

(top to bottom) Peter, Annie, Wick and Vaughn

Peter tries to make a dangerous dismount from Major Rasul's helicopter

Skip & Peter gingerly transfer nitroglycerine

Ben Mendelsohn as Malcolm Bench in "Vertical Limit" (2000)

Bill Paxton, Chris O'Donnell, Robin Tunney, and Scott Glenn in Vertical Limit (2000)

Bill Paxton, Chris O'Donnell, and Scott Glenn in Vertical Limit (2000)

Bill Paxton, Chris O'Donnell, Robin Tunney, Scott Glenn, and Izabella Scorupco in Vertical Limit (2000)