The term mountaineering describes the sport of mountain climbing, including ski mountaineering. Hiking in the mountains can also be a simple form of mountaineering when it involves scrambling, or short stretches of the more basic grades of rock climbing, as well as crossing glaciers.
These movies on mountain climbing are an inspiration for every climbing and trekking enthusiast. And, even if you are not a climber, they will make you want to put on the gear and go!
“Great things are done when men and mountains meet; this is not done by jostling in the street,” said William Blake
Mountains have always fascinated the humans. The thrill of the climb, the chase, the impossible conditions, and the feeling of overcoming mental and physical hurdles are what pull us to these majestic formations. The distant peaks tantalizing us from stunning horizons have been a source of inspiration and have led to expeditions that have redefined courage.
Intrigued by nature’s majesty some splendid movies on mountain climbing and documentaries on trekking, climbing have been made. Here are a few that you definitely should not miss:
1. TOUCHING THE VOID
Touching the void is a travel documentary that explores the story of two mountaineers scaling the Siula Grande in the Andes, where one of the mountaineers falls into a 150 feet crevasse. Based on true events compiled in the book by the same title, written by Joe Simpson (one of the two mountaineers, the other being Simon Yates), it makes for a gripping and inspiring watch.
2. COLD
A terrifyingly intense documentary by Angel Fogel about Cory Richards’ (and his comrades’) successful climbs of Pakistan’s Gasherbrum II in winter. The documentary comprises of actual footage shot by Richards and acts as clear wake up call to anyone who underestimates nature and bad weather.
3. 127 HOURS
The 1.5 hours long nail-biting tale of canyoneer and adventurer Aron Ralston surviving a fall in Blue John Canyon, Utah, and making it back to civilization. Based on Ralston’s true story, the movie very sensitively sheds light on the lengths to which we sometimes should be prepared to go for survival.
4. THE SHARP END
The Sharp End comprises of documented tales of free soloing, high-ball bouldering, hard traditional climbing, and extreme big-wall aid by some of the worlds’ best climbers like Alex Honnold, Dean Potter, Steph Davis, and Lisa Rands. The whole documentary is an adrenaline rush!
5. NANGA PARBAT
Possibly one of the most emotionally devastating tales, Nanga Parbat follows the story of the famous Wessner brothers, Reiner and Gunther Wessner who scaled Nanga Parbat, the 4,608 metre peak in the Himalayas. The bond shared by the two brothers set against the harsh mountain makes for a very engrossing watch.
Here are some destinations for mountain climbing which every traveller should aspire to climb.
1. Nun Kun Peak – Ladakh
2. Mount Kedar Dome – Gangotri, Uttarakhand
3. Mount Thingchinkhang – Sikkim
4. Deo Tibba – Manali-Kullu
5. Mount Trishul – Garhwal, Uttarakhand