Force documents five years of climbing expeditions on Patagonia’s Fitz Roy Massif.
By Laurelle Walsh
Mountainfilm On Tour returns to the Methow Valley on Saturday (Aug. 22) with 159 minutes of outdoor-oriented short films shown under the stars at Winthrop’s Mack Lloyd Park.
For the third year running, the folks at North Cascades Mountain Hostel are hosting the mobile film fest, featuring selections from this year’s annual film festival in Telluride, Colorado.
Admission for adults is $15; ages 18 and under get in for $10. Ticket sales and seating begins at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Seating is on the grass, and organizer Paul Smotherman recommends bringing your own blanket or chair.
“The films will include daring adventure pieces, inspiring environmental films and humorous human-interest stories,” said Smotherman. “All sure to impress.”
One such film is Force, a documentary full of impressive climbing footage filmed over five years of expeditions on Patagonia’s Fitz Roy Massif, that straddles the border between Argentina and Chile. Force follows climber and photographer Mikey Schaefer on his quest to put up first ascents on Fitz Roy’s seven summits.
Other highlights of Saturday’s festival include The Fisherman’s Son, Chris Malloy’s profile of Chilean big-wave surfer Ramon Navarro, and his work to preserve the rugged coastline of his home; Gnarly in Pink, a short film about little girls who shred on skateboards; The Important Places, in which filmmaker Forest Woodward recreates a 28-day raft trip down the Grand Canyon with his father; Afterglow, a cinematically profound ski flick filmed in the backcountry of British Columbia and Alaska; and many more.
This year’s Mountainfilm On Tour benefits the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, Methow Chapter, with 10 percent of ticket sales and proceeds from the “schwag raffle” going to that organization.
For more information go to ncascadesmtnhostel.com or call (509) 699-0568.
