Outside To Screen Three Climbing Films Online

Outside magazine has announced plans to screen three more climbing films online. The mag has held a couple of these sessions in the past, including a screening of Cold with filmmaker Corey Richards, but this is the first time they're hosting a triple-feature.

The screening is set to take place Thursday, March 22nd, at 7PM Mountain Time. That is exactly one week from today. Each of the three films come to us from the talented crew over at Sender Films and feature some very well known names in the adventure community. Those films include Swiss Machine, which features Ueli Steck climbing in the Alps and Himalaya; Fly or Die with Dean Potter, who deftly mixes free climbing and BASE Jumping; and Alone on the Wall which follows Alex Honnold as he attempts a freesolo of Half Dome in Yosemite.

After the films are shown there will be an online Q&A session that will include Ueli and Dean, as well as some of the cameramen and producers from Sender Films. All in all, it should be a fun way to spend an evening and having already seen a couple of these films, I can tell you that they are quite good. If you're interested in climbing and/or any of these three men, you'll definitely want to put Outside's online event on your calendar for next week.

The New York Times Looks At Speed Climbing

The New York Times has posted a story and video on speed climbing in the world of mountaineering and takes a look at the approach to climbing, which inherently brings some risks for those who choose to go faster in the mountains.

The article mentions or quotes a number of big name climbers, including Steve House, who has a few harsh things to say about the approach, saying that speed records are for stroking someone's "ego." The Times also interviews Chad Kellogg about his attempts at a speed record on Everest, and the included video, which can't be embedded here, shows Chad training on Mt. Rainier. Rock climber Alex Honnold weighs in, saying he just climbs, and that speed records are simply a by-product of the faster approach. Even Ueli Steck offers some comments, saying that it is important to balance speed with safety on any climb.

I came across this link thanks to a post over at the Adventure Journal, and like them, I'm happy to see mountaineering get some mainstream press, but the writer acts like it is something new for climbers to try to go faster and lighter on the mountain. It has been happening for years, it is just that we've gotten to the point now where the athletes are better trained, better prepared, and have better equipment than ever before. That combination is allowing a few elite climbers to really push the envelope.

I think the following quote from Steve Swenson, president of the American Alpine Club, is a good one:

“Fifty years ago, adventure in the mountains was more about going places where no one had been,” he said. “Most of these places have been more thoroughly explored. Maybe adventure gets redefined.”

To me, "adventure" is a very personal thing, and what consitutues an adventure for some people, may not  be the same for others. It is important that we all find the definition that works for ourselves, and then pursue the best way to put some adventure into our lives. That's what I see out of these climbers. They are indeed redefining adventure for the 21st century.

Alex Honnold On 60 Minutes

Many of you probably caught the episode of 60 Minutes over the weekend in which rock climber Alex Honnold was profiled. If you haven't seen it yet however, you'll find the video embedded below.

Watching it Sunday evening, I thought that the piece was well done, gave viewers a good look at Alex and climbing culture, and was about as solid of a piece on climbing as you'll get from the mainstream media. Of course, it was also wonderfully shot by the gang over at Sender Films, and there is a second video, found here, that talks about how they captured the footage. It is equally interesting and worth a look for anyone into climbing video and photography.

Of course, those of us who have followed his exploits have known about Alex for a long time. He is an amazing climber, but watching him work the wall, without any ropes, in this piece gives you a whole new appreciation of his skills. Definitely a must see.