The Himalayan mountain Makalu, located in Nepal, is the fifth highest mountain in the world. In 1973, a Czechoslovak expedition also attempted to climb it via the challenging route, the so-called South Pillar, but it ended tragically. The group of climbers led by the experienced Ivan Kaščák (real-life Ivan Gálfy) is composed of the fittest men. In the base camp and during the preparation of the advanced camps, the expedition struggles with common health problems - a sore tooth, intestinal problems or a cold. For the actual climb to the summit of Makalu, Kaščák chooses a young engineering student Milan, a colleague Karol who is a generation older than him, and a young man Jož. In the advanced camp, without Kaščák's knowledge, he gives up his place to the ambitious Karol. However, due to fatigue and lack of oxygen, Milan falls down a snowy slope and injures his head and spine. He can‘t be transported down.