‘Tis the season to bundle up, pop some popcorn, and put on a movie! And what better genre than epic and awe-inspiring climbing movies? Once you’ve watched Free Solo and realize that you can’t get enough, check out these flicks that will bring you every ounce of climbing stoke you need to get you outside and out of your comfort zone.
Length: 90 minutes
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, RedBull TV
Take a journey back in time to when climbing began in California’s Yosemite National Park. Valley Uprising is the riveting and unforgettable tale of the bold rock climbing tradition: half a century of struggle against the laws of gravity — and the laws of the land.
Get to know some of the original kings and queens of the climbing counterculture, from Lynn Hill and Royal Robbins to Warren Harding and more.
Length: 92 minutes
Where to watch: Netflix
The Alpinist follows Canadian climber Marc-André Leclerc as he defies all odds on some of the most rigorous, frozen heights in the world. Leclerc climbs alone, with no interest in the limelight. On remote alpine faces, the free-spirited 23-year-old makes some of the boldest solo ascents in history. Yet, he draws scant attention. With no cameras, no rope, and no margin for error, Marc-André’s approach is the essence of solo adventure.
- The Dawn Wall
Length: 100 minutes
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Follow legendary free climber Tommy Caldwell as he attempts to get over heartbreak by scaling 3,000ft of an impossible rock face: the Dawn Wall of El Capitan.
Blurring the line between dedication and obsession, Caldwell and his partner Kevin Jorgeson spend six years meticulously plotting and practicing their route. On the final attempt, with the world watching, Caldwell is faced with a moment of truth. Should he abandon his partner to fulfill his ultimate dream, or risk his own success for the sake of their friendship?
- Meru
Length: 87 minutes
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Tubi
In the high-stakes game of big-wall climbing, the Shark’s Fin on Mount Meru may be the ultimate achievement. Sitting at the headwaters of the sacred Ganges River in Northern India, the Shark’s Fin has seen more failed attempts by elite climbing teams over the past 30 years than any other ascent in the Himalayas.
Follow Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin and Renan Ozturk as they attempt to tackle this impossible feat with a multitude of hurdles to jump over.
- 14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible
Length: 101 minutes
Where to watch: Netflix
Watch as fearless Nepali mountaineer Nimsdai Purja embarks on a seemingly impossible quest to summit all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks in seven months. With a team of skilled Sherpas, Nimsdai traverses Mount Everest, K2, and other iconic peaks through extreme weather, life-or-death decisions, and the emotional weight of his mother’s illness back home.
- Cerro Torre: A Snowball’s Chance in Hell
Length: 101 minutes
Where to watch: RedBull Tv
Cerro Torre is one of the most formidable mountain faces on the planet. Its 3,128m tower pierces the peaks of Patagonia and near its summit, the rock crumbles like flaky pastry. This climb is not for the faint of heart, which is why it appealed to the late David Lama, a revolutionary climber.
When Lama announced his plans to go up unaided, big wall legend Jim Bridwell, who climbed it in 1979, offered one simple piece of advice: “You haven’t got a snowball’s chance in hell.” Watch on the edge of your seat as he attempts this deadly ascent.
Feeling inspired? If you get a chance to check out one of these awesome flicks, let us know on social media!
Whenever you’re ready for a climbing adventure of your own, consider your guides at Denver Climbing Company. Our mission is to provide the best damn rock climbing on the Colorado Front Range. And we do this every day. We continually evaluate, adapt, and educate ourselves to be the best rock climbing guides possible.
Being the best version for us extends beyond just climbing. We also lookout for the next generation by being stewards of our crags by donating time and money. We look out for our fellow climbers, our friends, and our families. All of this helps keep the sport we love sustainable.
Let’s Climb Together.
