Reel Rock Tour 2012

Last night I had the great opportunity to attend the Reel Rock Tour at NHTI Community College in Concord, NH. With 4 short films up on the screen it moves quick enough to keep you entertained the whole time and with more than one you get a great look at the different aspects of climbing. From mind blowing 5.15c climbing to alpine at its worst to free soloing and crazy Brits tackling all of America's toughest off-width cracks.

Starting off with La Dura Dura you follow Chris Sharma, the golden boy of climbing and Adam Ondra as they work one of the hardest projects on the planet, La Dura Dura (The Hard Hard) a 5.15c. A great short film about their likenesses and differences and the desire to be the best. ** Also on Oct. 4 Adam Ondra climbed a self rated 5.15c route in Norway. Read the Climbing.com article here.

The second short The Shark's Fin follows a trio of climber/ alpinist friends who at first make an attempt at the unclimbed route, only to have a devastating accident put a damper on their second attempt. A great film showing the dark side of the mountains.

The third short is perhaps the most entertaining, not including the climbing. Off-width climbers have always been known to be a little... different. The two Brits in this film take different to a whole new meaning. With the crazy basement training sessions to the domination of some of the hardest off-widths in the States this film was fun to watch.

The last film of the night always has to have some type of wow factor. Alex Honnold can take that any day. The free-soloing, record breaking, living out of his van climber has officially added the "What?!?!?" factor. Climbing without a rope hundreds of feet of the ground makes you worry. Watching him almost lose it, makes your insides turn. Seeing him climbing at night, with only the light from his headlamp, as a BASE jumper flies past him makes you want to change your draws.

All these films give a different emotion that is found in the realm of climbing; Determination, Fear, Humor and Excitement. If you haven't checked out the Reel Rock Tour, please do. It will be an enjoyable night.

Oh and more importantly... Go Climb

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