. >> reporter: an adventure cut short when the group was kidnapped by rebel militants in kyrgyzstan.very scared the whole time but i was hoping that either someone would come and save us or that we could escape somehow. >> reporter: in fact, it was tommy who saved the day, pushing their captor over a cliff ledge and leading his companions to safety. at the time, he spoke with abc news about the ordeal. >> we were seriously fearing for our lives, we did not know what was going to happen to us. >> they're back with loved ones today after a climb of a lifetime. >> these experiences, it makes him realize what he has and what he wants. he's able to use that and push through, push harder. tommy thinks that everyone's inspired by the same thing that kevin and himself are inspired by. dream big, shooting for the stars, making it happen. >> reporter: for "nightline," i'm adidi roy in yosemite national park. >>> coming up the buzz behind this year's oscar snubs. and the heated debate around who didn't make the academy's list this time around. shrimp? who are you calling a shrimp? that, my frie

was an incident in bangladesh and there was some question about an incident in the late 90s in kyrgyzstan. was there an official government policy that said they wouldn't pay? >> the official government policy is to comply with the kind of international norm, not to bend to the threats of the terrorists. so it is understood that the japanese government is not ready to pay the ransom. but everything may be possible. but on the other hand, now isis changed their demand from the ransom to the release of the hostage taken in jordan. >> sreenivasan: so what has the reaction been in japan over the past few days? obviously, this news broke so late at night that most japanese were asleep and they won't know until tomorrow morning and & that will be the reaction to this hostage's assassination. but over the past several days, as this story has been building in japan, what's it been like? >> of course most of the japanese population are very much concerned and worried about the fate of the two hostages and there was a press conference by one of the it's mother of one of the hostages the other day,

friends and family say his experience in kyrgyzstan.bing it would not be denied. >> it's an amazing feat for tommy and kevin jorgeson. it was not to conquer the don wall but realize a dream that's come true. kevin and tommy join me from yosemite national park. kevin and tommy, congratulations. this is extraordinary to have accomplished something, kevin, that no one has ever done before. was there times when you felt like you weren't going to be able to make it? >> absolutely. i think that's the process of a big project. you're bound to have your ups and downs, your highs and lows and the last 19 days was no exception. there were moments when i didn't think i was going to be able to do it and then there were moments of pure joy and relief as things were going well. >> and tommy, i know you lost your voice from yelling for kevin so much on the mountain but what was it like when you finally reached the top? >> it was like a big weight lifting. the whole climb was like a surreal experience but it was quite stressful. a relief getting to the

did you know caldwell was taken hostage by islamic rebels in kyrgyzstan? pushed off one of these armed guards. this is years ago, but it just shows you his strength and his mental ability to stay focused. >> can't wait. we'll be hearing a lot more. they made it. >> "good morning america," we will hear more from them. >>> a special story one combining a four-legged friend who gives us an example of how cold it has been lately in the midwest. roll that cold, cold, coyote footage. >> look here. this is -- what is this, this wylie? >> no. this is not. wylie coyote moves faster than this and would be carrying an acme contraption. right? this is a small pond in minnesota. the coyote is running on lake michigan, not a small pond, this is lake michigan just outside of chicago. >> that was yesterday afternoon. the fire department launched a boat to try to get out there and bring the animal to safety. it was having too much fun. you can see him there. the pieces of ice, the boat never got close. >> why do you want to get the guy? he's doing just fine. >> he's happy,