Every year around this time, climbers from all over the Lower Mainland and Sea to Sky Corridor pack into a small theatre and cheer on their favourite climbers battling it out on the big screen. It is a time to see old friends, grab a beer, and celebrate the climbing community. Reel Rock 10 sets down in Vancouver this Wednesday, October 14th at The Rio Theatre and then on Friday, October 16th at the Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver.
Reel Rock 10 features five films that capture the spirit of our sport and the community that surrounds it, from the places we go to the characters that it creates. Here is what we thought about the films.
A Line Across The Sky (35 min)
A Line Across the Sky features Tommy Caldwell and Alex Honnold as they complete the Fitz Roy Traverse in Patagonia. Through the well-crafted storytelling of Josh Lowell and Peter Mortimer, we are drawn into the characters of Tommy and Alex as they bumble across one of the most difficult alpine routes in Patagonia. The sweeping shots of Patagonia, combined with footage filmed by Tommy and Alex themselves, begs to be viewed on the big screen. Right out of the gate, A Line Across the Sky is worth the price of admission and is surely not to disappoint.
Here is a clip from the film (WARNING: Spoiler alerts)
Dean Potter Tribute (6 min)
The climbing community was dealt a huge loss when Dean Potter died in a wingsuit flight in May of this year. This film features footage of Dean that captures his spirit and all the ways that he pushed the sport of climbing into the next realm. The images here celebrate the life of Dean Potter, as he will be missed by many. For those who are interested in a beautifully written essay by James Lucas on Dean’s death, please click here.
High and Mighty (20 min)
High and Mighty shows what it takes to push the limits of highball bouldering. This film picks up where Exposure II left off, following Daniel Woods as he heads back to Bishop, CA to conquer The Process (v16). Other footage in this film include Jimmy Webb on the second ascent of Livin’ Large (v16) and a montage of bad falls and previous ascents. My only complaint about this film is that it re-uses a lot of footage that we have already seen in previous films. Nonetheless, the footage here is good enough for a ‘palm sweating good time’!
Showdown at Horseshoe Hell (20 min)
The most unique film at Reel Rock this year, Showdown at Horseshoe Hell, features the 24 hour climbing event at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch in Jasper, Arkansas. For those who have never experienced the event, it will definitely open your eyes to the vastness of our community. Described as the ‘Burning Man of climbing’, we are drawn into a story of two local climbers, Nik Berry and Mason Earle, as they take on Alex Honnold in a battle to climb as many routes as they can in 24 hours. Full of character and community, this film puts the seriousness of competition to the test.
Dawn Wall Exclusive (15 min)
Dawn Wall Exclusive is a first look at the footage captured of Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgenson’s ascent of The Dawn Wall. Going into this film, I thought that I had been so saturated with Dawn Wall footage over the past year and there could not possibly be anything that I hadn’t seen already. Turns out I was wrong! Minutes into this film, I was swept back into the Dawn Wall saga. Dawn Wall Exclusive not only gives us a look at footage captured during the first ascent, but it also gives us a sneak peak into some of the things going on in the background of the event. Worth the wait, Dawn Wall Exclusive teases you to the very end. Don’t think for a second this film won’t leave you hanging, as it is only a look into the full film that will be released by Patagonia later this year.
Summary
Overall, Reel Rock 10 fills us up once again with the ability to dream bigger than before. A Line across the Sky is worth the price of admission alone and the icing on the cake is the Dawn Wall Exclusive. In between, we are exposed to the vastness of our climbing culture, as it spreads across a variety of individuals in the pursuit of climbing. I am constantly impressed by the storytelling that takes place in these films and the filmmakers that capture our attention by diving deep into the characters that define our sport. Although the culture of climbing may not be the same in every area, we all come longing for adventure and leave out of our seats looking for more.
Tickets for the Vancouver event ($15 Advance/$17 Door) on October 14th, 2015, are SOLD OUT. There will be no tickets at the door.
For tickets to the North Vancouver event ($15 Advance/$17 Door) on October 16th, please click here.
