Alex Lowe climbed many mountains, but he did not return from Shishapangma in Tibet. An avalanche swept Lowe to his death, but spared his best friend, Conrad Anker.
Anker fell in love with Lowe's widow Jennifer, and they married, raising Alex Lowe's three sons together.
One of them, Max Lowe, made a documentary about the odyssey, Torn.
It is one of the offerings in World Film Week(s) of the Ashland Independent Film Festival, September 17-30. Max Lowe and AIFF's Richard Herskowitz visit with the story of the film and the festival.