Discovery Channel said Monday that it has scheduled Everest Jump Live for Sunday, May 11.
The two-hour event will chronicle climber Joby Ogwyn's journey to the summit of Mt. Everest as he battles the grueling conditions and ultimately takes the plunge from the top wearing a wingsuit. He'll be equipped with cameras to give a bird's-eye view of the jump.
Weather permitting, the live event will air starting at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: 'Everest Jump Live': Joby Ogwyn Reveals Terrifying Moment Atop the Mountain
NBC News' Willie Geist will serve as host and be joined by The Weather Channel's Jim Cantore, who will serve as chief meteorologist and track Everest's highly unpredictable weather conditions. Kyle Martino of NBC Sports and Chris Jacobs of Discovery and Velocity will deliver on-the-ground updates at Everest Base Camp, while Geist and Cantore will be based at a studio in New York designed specifically for the event incorporating the latest interactive technology and high-tech equipment.
Leading up to the event, Discovery will broadcast five nights of live programs titled Everest: Live From Base Camp, beginning at 11 p.m. ET/PT on Monday, May 5. The shows, which also will air on Science Channel and Discovery en Español at the same time, aims will show viewers what happens behind the scenes to make the live broadcast happen.
Ogwyn, who has 20 years of mountaineering experience and 8 years of wing suit flying, first summited the world’s highest peak at 24 years old, becoming the youngest American to make it to the top. In 2008, he set the world record for the fastest ascent of Mount Everest, climbing from the base of the south side route to the summit in nine and a half hours (it typically takes three or four days).
Everest Jump Live, produced by NBC News' Peacock Productions, will air in 224 countries and territories.
