In June of 2006, Touch the Top of the World, the feature film based on Erik's memoir of the same title, aired on the A&E network. The film chronicles Erik's 2001 ascent up the tallest mountain in the world, Mt. Everest, but begins at the beginning of the journey when, at age one, he was diagnosed with a genetic disorder that ultimately led to total blindness by age 13. With the support of an amazing family, Erik never allows his handicap to hold him back. Erik's mom defiantly fights to keep Erik in a mainstream school, while Erik's father encourages him to take on challenges like high school wrestling.

In the wake of the sudden death of his mother, Erik and his brothers begin taking climbing trips to keep their family intact. Soon Erik is taking on greater challenges, including mountain and rock climbing, while finishing college and starting his teaching career. After succeeding on numerous major peaks, Erik decides to confront his biggest challenge -- the world's highest peak. The film also features several of Erik's climbing buddies who face treacherous conditions and risk their own lives to help Erik and his team make history.

Peter Facinelli, best known from Hollywood films such as The Big Kahuna, The Scorpion King with the Rock , Driving in Cars with Boys with Drew Berrymore, and the critically acclaimed HBO series Six Feet Under, plays Erik.

Bruce Campbell, best known from his starring role in the Evil Dead series and his parts in the Spider-Man blockbusters, plays Ed, Erik's father.

Erik also has a brief part, playing himself and performing a mountain stunt. Roped together with a professional stunt man, Erik hurls himself down a steep snow slope and self arrests - throwing himself down on his ice axe and stopping himself and his partner. This is a movie first - the real person (Erik) performing a stunt for the actor playing him.

See a clip from the film: (link to the movie clip).

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