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How does the human body react to extreme altitude? Why do some people succumb to mountain sickness in thin air while others do not? Two Swiss doctors wanted to find out and launched the largest high-altituderesearch expedition of all time. Their objective was to gather data in the field, on the Muztagh Ata, a lone, icy 24,758 foot peak in western China. The physicians brought skis, computers, monitoring equipment and fitness gear. Camping at four different altitudes up to 22,600 feet the medical team periodically examined their 36 subjects. The altitude took its toll on all the members of the expedition. Snow and illness forced the researchers to alter their agenda, while extreme cold, heat and wind affected the entire team. Part One of the documentary focuses on the adventurous journey along the Silk Road to China, research on the mountain and portraits of the two leaders of the expedition. Part Two covers the exhausting climb to the summit and presents the results of the research, which are unprecedented and have led to new insights concerning mountain sickness. The scientific study is framed by spectacular footage of Muztagh Ata's unique scenery of ice and snow high above the Chinese desert.