Climbing

Adventure Media Review, Climbing, Film Review, Fun Film Friday / 05.04.2013

Few films successfully convey the true spirit of the ecstatic existence. A new short by Fitz Cahall reveals much of the mystery behind the idea that at the heart of a life well lived is joy and the serious work of play. Called simply 35 the movie depicts the birthday challenge of climber Derek Craig. In celebration of his natal anniversary he attempts 35 pitches of hard desert rock climbing from dawn until well after sundown. As he ticks off each ascent to mark the years of his life...

Adventure Media Review, Climbing, Film Review, Interview, Life Out Loud, Paragliding, Reel Rock Film Tour / 02.04.2013

Adventure media fans got a rare online look at one of the new features set to appear late this year in the REEL ROCK 8 Film Tour. This six-minute short that posted to YouTube is based on the most recent alpine innovations of the high-speed ascender known as the Swiss Machine. Called Ueli Steck: A New Vision, this mini-movie reveals what's next in ultra-light solo mountaineering as the climber becomes a flier sailing from one peak to the next via paraglider. "At the end of this clip, Ueli describes...

Adventure Activism, Climbing, Diversity, Expedition Denali, Life Out Loud, Outdoor Recreation / 08.03.2013

I admit some apprehension to being in front of the camera. As a trained observer I've always been more than a little reluctant to be part of the story. But when it comes to Expedition Denali I’m prepared to make an exception. To be part of the first team of African-American climbers to reach the highest summit in North America is an opportunity tough to pass up. And our little cohort of adventurers aims to change the face of mountaineering and the stories that define what it means...

Adventure Activism, Adventure Film, Charitable Giving, Climbing, Healthy Living, Life Out Loud, Madison, People with disabilities, philanthropy / 20.02.2013

The Joy Trip Project is pleased to present a free screening of the film High Ground by Michael Brown at the Marquee Theater in Union South on the UW Madison Campus on March 5th at 7PM. This inspiring feature follows the true story of 11 wounded Iraq and Afghan war veterans who overcome their injuries to climb a 20,000-foot mountain peak in the Himalaya. Recovering from the catastrophic effects of blindness, amputation and post-trauma stress these fallen heroes rise up to reclaim their lives and overcome a great...

Adventure Activism, Adventure Media Review, Alpinist, Climbing, Diversity, featured / 11.01.2013

When Alpinist editor Katie Ives asked me to write a story about diversity in mountaineering, I was incredibly honored and more than a little thrilled. But upon deeper reflection, I realized to my chagrin that there were only so many writers she might have tapped to address this emerging issue in the world of adventure. As I am one of relatively few people of color actively participating in the American outdoor industry, let alone working as a journalist, it inevitably falls to me to speak to the...

Adventure Activism, Charitable Giving, Climbing, Environmental Justice, Interview / 10.01.2013

National Geographic Young Explorer Asa Firestone wants to inspire kids through climbing. Though not a particularly original concept in itself, the idea aims to gain traction in a unique location: the crime-ridden slums of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Armed with an MBA from the Marshal School of Business at the University of Southern California, Firestone plans to build a social and economic alternative to life in gangs along with a climbing wall and the educational infrastructure to train young people as alpine athletes and commercial guides. Known locally as...