STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK
PHOTOS COURTESY BANFF FILM FESTIVAL
Nouria Newman hadn’t planned on kayaking northern India’s rivers. But, when she found India’s southern rivers flooded, she headed to the world-famous Zanskar and the Indus, including a wild stretch through a gorge that had rarely been kayaked.
But those rivers, too, were huge. On the second day she got stuck in a siphon, the river sucking her and her boat under a rock. By the time she had emerged, she had lost her kayak and there was no one around to help her catch it.
Newman’s story is told in “The Ladakh Project,” a film that includes Tibetan monks, sacred rivers and a look at how one young woman had to reset in the midst of a sobering moment.
And it’s one of 26 films that will be shown during four days of the Banff Film Festival Mountain Tour, which runs from Friday, Jan. 31, through Tuesday, Feb. 4.
The films, which vary in length from a few minutes to a half-hour, explore mountain culture, adventure travel, climbing, biking and other recreational pursuits and human interest. They will be shown at the Argyros Performing Arts Center in Ketchum.
Michael Boge, who has been bringing the films to Sun Valley for 20 years, watches films multiple times beginning with their first showing at the Banff Mountain Film Festival in Banff, Canada, in November to gauge audience reaction to help choose the films he brings to Sun Valley.
This year his personal favorites include “The Ladakh Project” and “Hors Piste,” an animated short revolving around two mountain rescue workers who take off on a new mission where, this time, everything will not go according to plan.
“It’s been a long time since there was an animation that was this strong and very funny,” he said.
He also likes “Camel Finds Water,” where the ultimate recycler finds a worn-out hull of an abandoned fishing boat and restores it, using it to find remote surfing waves off the coast of British Columbia. And “Opening the Earth: The Potato King,” which depicts Julio Hancco, a guardian of biodiversity, who could help humanity survive with his potatoes.
“I am biased as my wife Anavel is from Peru,” said Boge. “The film is good at showing Peruvian culture, which is very family centered and where it can be tough to break out of the ‘family plan’ if you’re a young man with different ideas about what was planned for you.”
This year he expanded the festival to four days, with the last evening on Tuesday, Feb. 4, showcasing films shown the first three nights. The extra night should placate those who couldn’t make it to the earlier showings or those who want to bring friends to see that special film that wowed them.
Tickets are $24 in advance, available at www.TheArgyros.org. Doors open each night at 6 p.m. with films starting at 7 p.m.
As in years past, a portion of the proceeds from the event will support the Friends of the Sawtooth Avalanche Center, as will the money from a huge raffle of outdoor adventure trips, clothing and gear.
Funds raised from this and grants helped the center increase its staff to four forecasters this year, doubling the coverage area from 1.15 million acres to more than 2 million acres, said forecaster Ethan Davis. The center also has a new website offering better viewing on mobile devices and improved search features. To see, visit www.sawtoothavalanche.com.
The Banff Mountain Film Festival, which began in 1976, peruses hundreds of films to find the world’s best footage on mountain subjects. The films are shown in Banff the first weekend in November, with some picked to tour to hundreds of cities worldwide.
THIS YEAR’S LINEUP:
FRIDAY, Jan. 31
GOOD MORNING … Every day, skier Richard Permin falls into his mundane morning routine. Right after getting out of bed, he clicks on his skis and rides down the snow-covered rooftops of Avoriaz.
LIFE OF PIE … When Jen Zeuner and Anne Keller moved to the tiny, conservative high desert town of Fruita, Colo., almost 20 years ago, it was not on the map as far as mountain biking was concerned and they were on the fringe and a bit ostracized. Now they’re at the very heart and soul of the community.
THE MOTIVATOR … Filmmaker Aaron Hitchins turns his camera on the person who has motivated him to lead a life connected to the outdoors: his mother, Maureen.
THE FLIP … French Skydiver Remi Angeli must face his fears in order to explore new expressions of movement while BASE jumping in Mexico. On the other side of his fear he discovers life in its purest form.
INTO THE CANYON … Pete McBride and Kevin Fedarko tell a story of extreme physical hardship where the bonds of friendship are stretched and the timeless beauty of the Grand Canyon becomes meditation and ultimately a cautionary tale for our complex relationship with the natural world.
REEL ROCK 13: UP TO SPEED … When climbing was announced as part of the 2020 Olympics, it was a monumental occasion for the sport. But many climbers were shocked to learn that one of three combined events required to compete for a medal is… speed climbing.
THE LADAKH PROJECT … Seven days, three rivers, one woman. This is the story of Nouria Newman's solo kayak adventure in the Indian Himalaya.
ELECTRIC GREG … Having seen the effects of climate change first-hand, Greg Hill sets out to climb 100 peaks without burning any fossil fuels. But the question is: will it make a difference?
SURFER DAN … In a time when it can feel like you need to fly to the opposite side of the globe to find adventure and challenge, Surfer Dan proves that with dedication, grit and a little creativity you might already have all you need outside you own backdoor.
SATURDAY, Feb. 1
CHARGE … Four top freeskiers and a World Champion drone pilot are dropped at Chatter Creek, B.C., for one week. Their instructions: charge as hard as you can every day.
BAYANDALAI- LORD OF THE TAIGA … From inside his yurt deep within the heart of the Taiga, an elder of the Dukhas tribe muses about the significance of life and death in the largest forest on Earth. He is the last of the great reindeer herders of the Taiga.
SAFE HAVEN … Founded on the belief that everyone is welcome, Memphis Rox opened a climbing gym to challenge stereotypes and be at the center of the city's revitalization.
HOME … Between 2011 and 2015 UK adventurer Sarah Outen traversed the globe by bike, kayak and rowing boat, travelling over 32,000 kilometers by human power alone. The solo trip took its toll, and a violent storm on the Pacific takes Sarah to the physical and mental brink.
RETURN TO EARTH … Connected by true life examples set by some of mountain biking’s biggest athletes, unsung shredders and up-and-coming youth, this film proves that when we lose track of time, we can make the most of it.
THABANG … Thabang Madiba somehow found his way into the world of trail running and in the last few years has become everyone’s favorite in the South African trail scene.
CIRCLE OF THE SUN … Steep mountains, the ocean, the sun and the aurora borealis. One rotation of the sun high in the Arctic on skis equals one day of magic.
LHOTSE … It’s not always what we achieve that defines us, rather it is why we achieve such things that creates clarity in our existence. In 2018, Hilaree Nelson and Jim Morrison completed the first ski descent of the 27,940-foot Lhotse, the fourth highest mountain in the world. This is their story.
HORS PISTE … The two best mountain rescue workers of the region are ready for their new mission. Despite their professionalism and their determination, it will not go as planned...
MONDAY, Feb. 3
CAMEL FINDS WATER … Trevor found the hull of an abandoned fishing boat in a field. He brought it home and built it back to a sea-worthy state over the course of a summer. Then, he took it on its maiden voyage to British Columbia in search of waves.
REEL ROCK 14: THE HIGH ROAD … Highball bouldering ace Nina Williams flexes her guns and tests her nerves well into the no-fall zone.
BILLDER … Billder tells the story of Bill McLane, a mountain bike trail builder. We'll find out what trails mean to him and how his work impacts his community.
HUNZA: SKI AND CULTURE IN PAKISTAN … Get on board with Sam Favret, Leo Slemett and Julien Herry as they set off on a vibrant freeriding and cultural adventure in the remote Hunza Valley, way off the beaten track.
SIBLINGS … A short coming of age film that celebrates childhood and the relationship between siblings.
THE IMAGINARY LINE … In an act of political solidarity, a team from Mexico and the United States assemble to establish a slackline that crosses the border between them. In a world that is constantly tearing us apart, they come together to cross an imaginary line and tell a different story.
SPECTRE EXPEDITION – MISSION ANTARCTICA … 1000 miles, 200+ kgs, 65 days, 3 mates, 1 mountain. Unsupported, using snow-kites to travel great distance, with massive loads at speeds up to 37 mph this is the epic tale of Leo Houlding, Jean Burgun and Mark Sedon's daring dream to reach the summit of the most remote mountain on Earth--The Spectre, Antarctica.
OPENING THE EARTH: THE POTATO KING … Julio Hancco is a guardian of biodiversity, critical to the survival of humanity. He represents a people, a culture, and way of life that is being lost to modernization. Will their culture survive? Or will it all be lost with the last Potato King?
DANNY DAYCARE … In his latest film Danny MacAskill takes on some child care the only way he knows how... by taking them for a wee bike ride around Scotland!
TUESDAY, Feb. 4
GOOD MORNING … Every day, skier Richard Permin falls into his mundane morning routine. Right after getting out of bed, he clicks on his skis and rides down the snow-covered rooftops of Avoriaz.
OPENING THE EARTH: THE POTATO KING … Julio Hancco is a guardian of biodiversity, critical to the survival of humanity. He represents a people, a culture, and way of life that is being lost to modernization. Will their culture survive? Or will it all be lost with the last Potato King?
HORS PISTE … The two best mountain rescue workers of the region are ready for their new mission. Despite their professionalism and their determination, it will not go as planned...
INTO THE CANYON … Pete McBride and Kevin Fedarko tell a story of extreme physical hardship where the bonds of friendship are stretched and the timeless beauty of the Grand Canyon becomes meditation and ultimately a cautionary tale for our complex relationship with the natural world.
CHARGE … Four top freeskiers and a World Champion drone pilot are dropped at Chatter Creek, B.C., for one week. Their instructions: charge as hard as you can every day.
CAMEL FINDS WATER … Trevor found the hull of an abandoned fishing boat in a field. He brought it home and built it back to a sea-worthy state over the course of a summer. Then, he took it on its maiden voyage to British Columbia in search of waves.
REEL ROCK 13: UP TO SPEED … When climbing was announced as part of the 2020 Olympics, it was a monumental occasion for the sport. But many climbers were shocked to learn that one of three combined events required to compete for a medal is… speed climbing.
LHOTSE … It’s not always what we achieve that defines us, rather it is why we achieve such things that creates clarity in our existence. In 2018, Hilaree Nelson and Jim Morrison completed the first ski descent of the 27,940-foot Lhotse, the fourth highest mountain in the world. This is their story.
DANNY DAYCARE … In his latest film Danny MacAskill takes on some child care the only way he knows how... by taking them for a wee bike ride around Scotland!