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Documentary / Portrait
Dirtbag
Dave O'Leske (2017)
Fred Beckey is the legendary American 'Dirtbag' mountaineer whose name has evoked mystery, sarcasm and adulation since the 1940s. His stubborn determination to climb one peak after another was translated into a solitary life on the road, where he left a trail of furious climbing partners and abandoned lovers. At the age of 94 he is still obsessed by the mountains and plans ambitious expeditions, but the man who once cavorted over the rock and ice now has to come to terms with everyday life. The story of this athletic rebel, who inspired generations of climbers with his monumental first ascents and impassioned books, is recounted for the first time.- 2017
- USA
- 96 min
Fred Beckey is the legendary American 'Dirtbag' mountaineer whose name has evoked mystery, sarcasm and adulation since the 1940s. His stubborn determination to climb one peak after another was translated into a solitary life on the road, where he left a trail of furious climbing partners and abandoned lovers. At the age of 94 he is still obsessed by the mountains and plans ambitious expeditions, but the man who once cavorted over the rock and ice now has to come to terms with everyday life. The story of this athletic rebel, who inspired generations of climbers with his monumental first ascents and impassioned books, is recounted for the first time.Climbing locations
Availability
DVD / BLU-RAY Video on Demand -
Documentary / Climbing Journal
Return to Mount Kennedy
Eric Becker (2019)
In 1965 climber Jim Whittaker and Bobby Kennedy made the first ascent of Mt Kennedy in the Canadian Yukon after it had renamed in honor of Bobby’s brother President Kennedy. 50 years later, their sons Chris Kennedy and Bob Whittaker attempt to relive the same ascent. Other than in the climb of the mountain, the film focuses on the story of Bob Whittaker’s journey from crazy-ass punk band rocker, partygoer and band manager to environmental activist. With original music by Eddie Vedder, the movie sits at the junction of environmentalism, and adventure.- 2019
- USA
- 80 min
In 1965 climber Jim Whittaker and Bobby Kennedy made the first ascent of Mt Kennedy in the Canadian Yukon after it had renamed in honor of Bobby’s brother President Kennedy. 50 years later, their sons Chris Kennedy and Bob Whittaker attempt to relive the same ascent. Other than in the climb of the mountain, the film focuses on the story of Bob Whittaker’s journey from crazy-ass punk band rocker, partygoer and band manager to environmental activist. With original music by Eddie Vedder, the movie sits at the junction of environmentalism, and adventure.Climbing locations
Availability
DVD / BLU-RAY Video on Demand -
Documentary / Historical
Mountains don't care, but we do!
Rick Lorenz (2009)
This short documentary provides an early history of the U.S. Mountain Rescue Association (MRA), with a focus on events in the Pacific Northwest during the 1940’s and 50’s. It shows the Alpine roots of Mountain Rescue in the United States, and how the changing conditions in the Northwest after World War II provided a need for local mountain rescue teams.Mountains don't care, but we do!
- 2009
- USA
- 30 min
This short documentary provides an early history of the U.S. Mountain Rescue Association (MRA), with a focus on events in the Pacific Northwest during the 1940’s and 50’s. It shows the Alpine roots of Mountain Rescue in the United States, and how the changing conditions in the Northwest after World War II provided a need for local mountain rescue teams.Climbing locations
Availability
Watch Free DVD / BLU-RAY -
Documentary / Instructional
Ice rescue
Bob Spring (1957)
A silent, extended version of the crevasse rescue sequence in 'Mountains Don't Care', including more detail of rescue equipment and techniques. A pair of roped climbers demonstrate a crevasse fall and self-rescue using prussiks. A film by Bob and Ira Spring featuring Ome Daiber.- 1957
- USA
- 14 min
A silent, extended version of the crevasse rescue sequence in 'Mountains Don't Care', including more detail of rescue equipment and techniques. A pair of roped climbers demonstrate a crevasse fall and self-rescue using prussiks. A film by Bob and Ira Spring featuring Ome Daiber.Climbing locations
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Documentary / Biographical
Nawang Gombu - Heart of a Tiger
Bev Chapman (2012)
The nephew of Tenzing Norgay, Nawang Gombu was the youngest Sherpa climber on the 1953 Everest expedition carrying supplies above 25000 feet. He went on to become the first man in the world to summit Mt. Everest twice. He stood on the highest point on the planet with Jim Whittaker on the American expedition in 1963 and again on the first successful Indian expedition in 1965. But 'firsts' are only a small part of what makes this man's story extraordinary. A deeply spiritual man all his life, he helped his family and others achieve what had been so hard for him to accomplish. Standing on the shoulders of his famous uncle, he helped lift the status of Sherpas to that of world-class climbers.Nawang Gombu - Heart of a Tiger
- 2012
- India, USA
- 47 min
The nephew of Tenzing Norgay, Nawang Gombu was the youngest Sherpa climber on the 1953 Everest expedition carrying supplies above 25000 feet. He went on to become the first man in the world to summit Mt. Everest twice. He stood on the highest point on the planet with Jim Whittaker on the American expedition in 1963 and again on the first successful Indian expedition in 1965. But 'firsts' are only a small part of what makes this man's story extraordinary. A deeply spiritual man all his life, he helped his family and others achieve what had been so hard for him to accomplish. Standing on the shoulders of his famous uncle, he helped lift the status of Sherpas to that of world-class climbers.Availability
Watch Free -
Documentary / Instructional
This is self arrest
Al Stenson (1967)
Instructional film about a mountaineering technique to prevent falling. Narrated by Jim Whittaker, who describes basic self arrest positions, common mistakes and how to prepare for self arrest while climbing or descending. Several climbers demonstrate falls and safety techniques. This film was made on Mt Rainier, above the east side of Nisqually Glacier, in 1967. The film opens with a scene of a climber falling and sliding out of control after losing his ice axe. The narrator describes the basic self arrest position, common mistakes, and how to prepare for self arrest while climbing or descending.- 1967
- USA
- 10 min
Instructional film about a mountaineering technique to prevent falling. Narrated by Jim Whittaker, who describes basic self arrest positions, common mistakes and how to prepare for self arrest while climbing or descending. Several climbers demonstrate falls and safety techniques. This film was made on Mt Rainier, above the east side of Nisqually Glacier, in 1967. The film opens with a scene of a climber falling and sliding out of control after losing his ice axe. The narrator describes the basic self arrest position, common mistakes, and how to prepare for self arrest while climbing or descending.Climbing locations
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Documentary / Instructional
Mountains don’t care
Bob Spring (1957)
Produced by the Seattle Mountain Rescue Council in 1953, featuring Ome Daiber (founder of Seattle Mountain Rescue), with Jim and Lou Whittaker. After World War II, returning soldiers and their families flocked to the mountains of the Pacific Northwest in search of recreation. This classic Ira Spring film was probably the first mountain safety film ever produced, it responded to a need to inform local citizens of possible dangers in the mountains. It also features some of the most notable mountaineers of the century, including Ome Daiber, and both Jim and Lou Whittaker. Today this film can still be used to further one of the objectives of the Mountain Rescue Association: public mountain safety education.- 1957
- USA
- 20 min
Produced by the Seattle Mountain Rescue Council in 1953, featuring Ome Daiber (founder of Seattle Mountain Rescue), with Jim and Lou Whittaker. After World War II, returning soldiers and their families flocked to the mountains of the Pacific Northwest in search of recreation. This classic Ira Spring film was probably the first mountain safety film ever produced, it responded to a need to inform local citizens of possible dangers in the mountains. It also features some of the most notable mountaineers of the century, including Ome Daiber, and both Jim and Lou Whittaker. Today this film can still be used to further one of the objectives of the Mountain Rescue Association: public mountain safety education.Climbing locations
Availability
DVD / BLU-RAY -
Documentary / Climbing Journal
Pilgrimage to a mountain peak
(1965)
Pilgrimage to a mountain peak is a documentary about alpinism that takes place in Mount Kennedy. It was produced in 1965 by Hearst Metrotone News. It is a part of the series Screen News Digest - Camera on the world. It features Robert F. Kennedy, Jim Whittaker, George R. Senner, Dee Molenaar, Bill Prater, Barry Prather and others.
- 1965
- USA
- 5 min
Pilgrimage to a mountain peak is a documentary about alpinism that takes place in Mount Kennedy. It was produced in 1965 by Hearst Metrotone News. It is a part of the series Screen News Digest - Camera on the world. It features Robert F. Kennedy, Jim Whittaker, George R. Senner, Dee Molenaar, Bill Prater, Barry Prather and others.Climbing locations
Availability
Watch Free -
Documentary / Chronicle
Sherpa - The proving grounds
Win Whittaker (2002)
From the perilous origins of Himalayan mountaineering, and the first expeditions to utilise the unique strengths of the Sherpa tribe, this fascinating film takes the viewer through the arduous training programme of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute- 2002
- USA
- 72 min
From the perilous origins of Himalayan mountaineering, and the first expeditions to utilise the unique strengths of the Sherpa tribe, this fascinating film takes the viewer through the arduous training programme of the Himalayan Mountaineering InstituteClimbing locations
Availability
DVD / BLU-RAY Video on Demand -
Documentary / Chronicle
Galahad of Everest
John-Paul Davidson (1991)
Documentary in which actor Brian Blessed recreates George Mallory's 1924 climb of Mount Everest, through climbing the mountain himself in 1920's clothing and reading out loud extracts from Mallory's original letters which relate the experience. Archive footage from the original expedition is also used.- 1991
- UK
- 84 min
Documentary in which actor Brian Blessed recreates George Mallory's 1924 climb of Mount Everest, through climbing the mountain himself in 1920's clothing and reading out loud extracts from Mallory's original letters which relate the experience. Archive footage from the original expedition is also used.Climbing locations
Availability
Watch Free DVD / BLU-RAY -
Documentary / Expedition Journal
Karakoram
Laszlo Pal (1976)
Karakoram is a documentary about alpinism that takes place in K2. It was directed by Steve Marts in 1976 and produced by 1975 American K2 Expedition. It features Lou Whittaker, Jim Whittaker, Galen Rowell, Jim Wickwire, Fred Dunham, Leif Patterson and others.- 1976
- USA
- 47 min
Karakoram is a documentary about alpinism that takes place in K2. It was directed by Steve Marts in 1976 and produced by 1975 American K2 Expedition. It features Lou Whittaker, Jim Whittaker, Galen Rowell, Jim Wickwire, Fred Dunham, Leif Patterson and others.Climbing locations
Availability
DVD / BLU-RAY -
Documentary / Climbing Journal
To climb a mountain
Rick Ridgeway (1981)
To climb a mountain is a documentary about alpinism that takes place in Mount Rainier. It was directed by Rick Ridgeway in 1981 and produced by Baker Street Entertainment. It features Jim Whittaker, Dianne Roberts, Alex Naiman, Kirk Adams, Chuck O'Brien, Roy Fitzgerald and others.- 1981
- USA
- 60 min
To climb a mountain is a documentary about alpinism that takes place in Mount Rainier. It was directed by Rick Ridgeway in 1981 and produced by Baker Street Entertainment. It features Jim Whittaker, Dianne Roberts, Alex Naiman, Kirk Adams, Chuck O'Brien, Roy Fitzgerald and others.Climbing locations
